Donald Trump set to have final say on Hong Kong democracy act as Senate passes it
- The number of lawmakers co-sponsoring surged ahead of the bill’s passage, following violence at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University
- House and Senate versions of the act will be unified for final approvals, before going to the president
The US Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that could pave the way for diplomatic action and economic sanctions against Hong Kong, likely sending the legislation to President Donald Trump to sign into law.
Congress’ upper chamber put the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, sponsored by Florida Republican Marco Rubio, through an expedited process that sidestepped a roll call vote, allowing the bill to pass without any objections.
The Senate also passed the Protect Hong Kong Act, sponsored by Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley, which would prohibit US companies from exporting non-lethal crowd control and defence items to the city.
The House of Representatives passed that chamber’s versions of the two bills last month.
“The United States Senate sent a clear message to Hongkongers fighting for their long-cherished freedoms: we hear you, we continue to stand with you, and we will not stand idly by as Beijing undermines your autonomy,” Rubio announced.