McConnell Vows to Work on Bill Supporting Hong Kong Protesters

(Bloomberg) -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to work on legislation supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, as some senators say they’re growing restless with the chamber’s failure to act.

In a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, McConnell denounced “Beijing’s insatiable thirst for control” that is undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and suppressing protests.

McConnell said he’d work “toward a strong and procedurally workable solution” for Hong Kong with senators who’ve been pushing legislation designed to put pressure on China.

McConnell spoke as lawmakers from both parties have been pressing for quick action on Hong Kong legislation, which passed the Foreign Relations Committee in September. The bill would subject the city’s special U.S. trading status to annual reviews and provides for sanctions against officials deemed responsible for undermining Hong Kong’s “fundamental freedoms and autonomy.” But it hasn’t been scheduled for a vote.

The Trump administration hasn’t taken a stand on the bill. The legislation is waiting for action as President Donald Trump is trying to close the first phase of a trade agreement with China. The government in Beijing has warned of “strong countermeasures” if the legislation is enacted.

Senators Marco Rubio of Florida, the lead Senate sponsor of Hong Kong bill, and Jim Risch of Idaho, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, are set to meet Wednesday with McConnell to talk about ways to move the legislation along in the Senate.

“It is vitally important that the United States Senate take up and pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,” Republican Senator Josh Hawley, one of the sponsors of the legislation, said Tuesday. “We have delayed long enough. We have waited long enough. That act should come to the floor and it should be voted upon.”

Differences

McConnell said he and his Senate colleagues are aiming to put pressure on China “while minimizing the collateral economic damage to the very Hong Kong we want to help.”

The Senate’s Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act differs slightly from the version that passed the House last month on a unanimous voice vote. That’s created a procedural glitch in the Senate because of a provision that would raise revenue through sanctions. Revenue-generating bills are required to originate in the House. But it’s unclear whether that is the cause for a delay.

Violent confrontations between police and demonstrators in Hong Kong have been escalating since the protests erupted in June. Clashes continued late into Tuesday evening as police said the protesters threw bricks and gasoline bombs. One man was shot by a police officer on Monday.

The protests began over an extradition proposal that would have sent suspects to mainland China to stand trial. The protests grew into broader demands for full democracy and an inquiry into alleged police brutality.

“We need to have multiple points of pressure with Beijing,“ Hawley, of Missouri, said. “What’s happening in Hong Kong, China shouldn’t be able to wave that away because they desperately need a trade deal. We also need to, separately, press them on Hong Kong.”

Rubio has indicated that he may try to force a floor vote on the measure if action isn’t taken soon.

To contact the reporter on this story: Daniel Flatley in Washington at dflatley1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Joe Sobczyk at jsobczyk@bloomberg.net, Anna Edgerton

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