PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.By Senator Menendez from Committee on Foreign Relations filed written report. Report No. 113-313.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Dec 11, 2014
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act - States that it is U.S. policy to:
reaffirm the principles set forth in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992;
support the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong;
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
urge China's government to uphold its commitments to Hong Kong;
support the establishment by 2017 of a democratic option to nominate and elect the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and the establishment by 2020 of democratic elections for all members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council; and
support freedom of the press.
Amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of State to report by March 31, 2015, to Congress on conditions in Hong Kong that are of U.S. interest, and annually thereafter for 10 years or until the Secretary certifies that Hong Kong has held free and fair elections for 2 consecutive Chief Executive and 2 consecutive Legislative Council periods.
Directs the Secretary to certify annually to Congress whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous to justify separate treatment different from that accorded to China in any new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements entered into between the United States and Hong Kong.
Exempts from the certification requirement new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements that support human rights, rule of law, or democracy in Hong Kong.
Authorizes the Secretary to waive the certification requirement if in U.S. national interests, and with congressional notification.
People & committees
Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH] · D–OH
Legislative record
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By Senator Menendez from Committee on Foreign Relations filed written report. Report No. 113-313.
By Senator Menendez from Committee on Foreign Relations filed written report. Report No. 113-313.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 651.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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