Condemning Continued Violation of Rights and Freedoms of People of Hong Kong By People's Republic of China and Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Floor Speech

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First of all, let me thank the Speaker for coming down on the floor to give her personal remarks. I know she has a busy schedule, but this really honors and shows her commitment to human rights in Hong Kong and all around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I was proud to join the chairman in leading this measure to condemn the egregious violations of Hong Kong's freedoms. The Chinese Communist Party's relentless oppression of the people of Hong Kong is not a Republican or Democratic issue. We are united as Americans in standing with Hong Kongers.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement has inspired people around the world to fight for liberty over tyranny. But in June of last year, the Chinese Communist Party used its sham legislature to enforce a dystopian national security law on Hong Kong. This law criminalizes basic civil liberties, it violated China's treaty commitments, it destroyed the ``one country, two systems'' model of autonomy, and it inserted the CCP's police state into Hong Kong to crush dissent.

Since it passed, the CCP has purged pro-democracy lawmakers from the government while arresting the CCP's political enemies.

Unfortunately, the CCP's human rights abuses in Hong Kong are far from over. Chairman Meeks' resolution continues our bipartisan work to call out the CCP's abuses and to stand with the people of Hong Kong, and I urge my colleagues' support for this measure.

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Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, sadly, we no longer see American flags waving over thousands of peaceful protesters in the streets of Hong Kong. Displaying our symbol of liberty has become a criminal act punishable by life in prison. But even though the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong can no longer publicly ask for our support, we still hear these pleas. Congress hears them, the American people hear them, and it is now more important than ever that we continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Meeks for bringing this resolution which I was proud to join as a lead cosponsor, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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