Recognizing Hong Kong's bilateral relationship with the United States, condemning the People's Republic of China for violating their obligations to the people of Hong Kong, and supporting the people of Hong Kong's right to freedom of assembly and peaceful protest.

Bill: 116-hres-543
Sponsor: Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-30]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Hong Kong
Human rights
Law enforcement officers
News media and reporting
Political movements and philosophies
Protest and dissent
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Trade restrictions
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 
This resolution calls on the Hong Kong government to begin negotiations with protesters to address their five central demands, including the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill that prompted the protests and the complete implementation of universal adult suffrage. It also condemns (1) the Hong Kong government's use of force against the demonstrations; (2) the government's characterizations of the protests as "riots" and attempts to blame the United States for the city's political situation; and (3) the pro-Chinese government media's targeting of Julie Eadeh, the political counselor at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, and her family.
 
(Hong Kong is a part of China but has a mostly separate legal system, which includes protection for civil liberties including freedom from arbitrary imprisonment. Protests sprung up in opposition to the introduction of an extradition bill that critics say would allow extradition to jurisdictions that do not have such protections, in particular mainland China.) 

action_date: 2019-10-15
text: 
This resolution calls on the Hong Kong government to begin negotiations with protesters to address their five central demands, including the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill that prompted the protests and the complete implementation of universal adult suffrage. It also condemns (1) the Hong Kong government's use of force against the demonstrators, (2) the government's characterizations of the protests as "riots" and attempts to blame the United States for the city's political situation, and (3) Chinese state media for targeting staff and family members of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. 
 
(Hong Kong is a part of China but has a mostly separate legal system, which includes protection for civil liberties including freedom from arbitrary imprisonment. Protests sprung up in opposition to the introduction of an extradition bill that critics say would allow extradition to jurisdictions that do not have such protections, in particular mainland China.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-15
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-10-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-10-15
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8116-8117)
action_date: 2019-10-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8116-8117)
action_date: 2019-10-15
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 543.
action_date: 2019-10-15
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8116-8119)
action_date: 2019-10-15
text: Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House