House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) signed legislation on Nov. 21 to back protesters in Hong Kong. The bills have been sent to the White House where President Donald Trump is expected to sign them into law.
The House overwhelmingly approved the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the Protect Hong Kong Act on Nov. 20, a day after the Senate passed them on voice votes.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Nov. 21 it is the duty of the U.S. to speak out against human rights abuses.
“If America does not speak up for human rights in China because of commercial issues, we lose all moral authority to speak about human rights anywhere in the world,” Pelosi said.
“To President Xi (Jinping): This resolution is what America thinks of you and your policies towards the people in Hong Kong,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.
“We don’t stand here today as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans united in our strong support for the people of Hong Kong,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said.
The bills now go to Trump for signing. According to media reports, White House officials expect him to sign.
While many see the act as symbolic, it could alter the nature of relations between the United States and Hong Kong.