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119-hr-9158119th Congress

Hong Kong Equal Treatment Act

Sponsored By: Representative Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Introduced

Summary

Equal treatment for Hong Kong. This bill would bar U.S. agencies from treating Hong Kong differently than the People’s Republic of China and would require sanctions against people who undermine Hong Kong’s democracy or commit serious human rights abuses.

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  • U.S. agencies would be prohibited from giving Hong Kong special treatment compared with the PRC under any other law.
  • Officials, security forces, business leaders, or entities involved in coercion, detention, censorship, undermining of democratic institutions, or other serious human rights abuses in Hong Kong would be subject to designation for sanctions.
  • Designated persons and entities would face broad financial blocking sanctions. The President would be required to block and prohibit transactions in property that is in the United States, comes into the United States, or is in the possession or control of a U.S. person using authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Sanctions for Hong Kong rights abuses

This bill would require the President to impose blocking sanctions under IEEPA on foreign people designated for harming democracy or human rights in Hong Kong. The Secretary of State or the Treasury would make designations after consulting the other. Criteria include enforcing the PRC national security law in Hong Kong; undermining democracy or autonomy; censoring speech or assembly; or extrajudicial rendition, arbitrary detention, or torture. Designations would also reach leaders, owners, supporters, and board members of blocked entities. If designated, all their property and interests in the United States or under U.S. persons' control would be blocked. The President would use all IEEPA powers to block and prohibit those transactions. This requirement would take effect upon enactment.

Ban on special treatment for Hong Kong

This bill would bar the U.S. government from treating Hong Kong differently than mainland China. The ban would apply despite any other law and would bind U.S. agencies when enacted. This is a change in U.S. foreign-policy posture and would not directly give households money or change taxes, though it could affect people and businesses with Hong Kong ties.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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