US House overwhelmingly passes bills in support of Hong Kong protesters News
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US House overwhelmingly passes bills in support of Hong Kong protesters

The US House of Representatives voted 417-1 Wednesday to pass legislation supporting Hong Kong protesters.

Th Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act aims to place sanctions on individuals who have committed human rights violations in Hong Kong. It would also require an annual review by the State Department to ensure that Hong Kong maintains sufficient autonomy from the rest of China.

The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate on Tuesday and enjoyed bipartisan support in the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the House floor that with the passage of the bill, “Congress is sending an unmistakable message to the world that the United States stands in solidarity with freedom-loving people of Hong Kong and that we fully support their fight for freedom.”

In order to approve the legislation before Congress’ Thanksgiving recess next week, the House, led by Pelosi, declined to attempt reconciling the bill with another version that the House passed unanimously last month. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a sponsor of the Senate legislation, applauded Pelosi for taking swift action in passing the bill and urged President Donald Trump to sign it as soon as possible.

Reports of violence against Hong Kong protesters have prompted lawmakers of both parties to call on Trump to speak out. Over the weekend, police threatened the use of live ammunition on protesters if they refused to vacate Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s campus.

Increased pressure on the president to address the protests have coincided with his efforts to sign a China trade deal. The bill was blasted by China officials since passing the Senate, with a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry calling it an “unnecessary and unwarranted” act of interference that would “harm the relations and common interests between Hong Kong and the US.”