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November 20, 2019

Senate Approves Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
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The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill Tuesday aimed at protecting
the human rights of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters. The Senate bill
would allow the president to impose sanctions and travel restrictions on
people who are found to be responsible for arbitrary detention, torture
or forced confession of any individual in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Human
Rights and Democracy Act will now go to the House of Representatives.
Beijing quickly denounced the bill, and Hong Kong officials said it
would harm relations between the two countries.

The U.S Senate also unanimously passed a second bill that would ban the
export of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets to Hong Kong's
police force. Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc Connell has urged
President Trump to voice support for Hong Kong's protesters. President
Trump had previously promised Chinese President Xi Jinping the United
States would remain quiet about the protests as the two countries
pursued trade talks over the summer.


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