[House Hearing, 116 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
MARKUP OF H. RES. 543, H.R. 3289, H.R. 4270, H. RES. 517, H. RES. 387,
H. RES. 552, AND H. RES. 521
=======================================================================
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
September 25, 2019
__________
Serial No. 116-67
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/, http://
docs.house.gov,
or http://www.govinfo.gov
___________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
37-847PDF WASHINGTON : 2020
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York, Chairman
BRAD SHERMAN, California MICHAEL T. McCAUL, Texas, Ranking
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York Member
ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey
GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida JOE WILSON, South Carolina
KAREN BASS, California SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania
WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts TED S. YOHO, Florida
DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois
AMI BERA, California LEE ZELDIN, New York
JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas JIM SENSENBRENNER, Wisconsin
DINA TITUS, Nevada ANN WAGNER, Missouri
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York BRIAN MAST, Florida
TED LIEU, California FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida
SUSAN WILD, Pennsylvania BRIAN FITZPATRICK, Pennsylvania
DEAN PHILLIPS, Minnesota JOHN CURTIS, Utah
ILHAN OMAR, Minnesota KEN BUCK, Colorado
COLIN ALLRED, Texas RON WRIGHT, Texas
ANDY LEVIN, Michigan GUY RESCHENTHALER, Pennsylvania
ABIGAIL SPANBERGER, Virginia TIM BURCHETT, Tennessee
CHRISSY HOULAHAN, Pennsylvania GREG PENCE, Indiana
TOM MALINOWSKI, New Jersey STEVE WATKINS, Kansas
DAVID TRONE, Maryland MIKE GUEST, Mississippi
JIM COSTA, California
JUAN VARGAS, California
VICENTE GONZALEZ, Texas
Jason Steinbaum, Staff Director
Brendan Shields, Republican Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
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Page
MEASURES AND AMENDMENTS EN BLOC
H. Res. 543, Recognizing Hong Kong's bilateral relationship with
the U.S........................................................ 16
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H. Res. 543 offered by
Mr. Sherman.................................................... 24
H.R. 3289, Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019...... 33
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 3289 offered by
Mr. Smith...................................................... 61
H.R. 4270, Protect Hong Kong Act................................. 77
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 4270 offered by
Mr. Engel...................................................... 85
H. Res. 517, Supporting the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB,
malaria, and its Sixth Replenishment........................... 91
H. Res. 387, Condemning continued violence against civilians by
armed groups in the Central American(sic) Republic............. 95
Amendment to H. Res. 387 offered by Mr. Engel.................... 101
H. Res. 552, Calling on the Government of the Russian Federation
to release Paul Whelan......................................... 102
H. Res. 521, which commends the Canadian Government for their
efforts in extracting a Huawei Executive....................... 105
APPENDIX
Hearing Notice................................................... 110
Hearing Minutes.................................................. 111
Hearing Attendance............................................... 112
Markup Summary................................................... 113
MARKUP OF H. RES. 543, H.R. 3289, H.R. 4270, H. RES. 517, H. RES.
387,H. RES. 552, AND
H. RES. 521
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
House of Representatives
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Washington, DC
The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room
2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Eliot Engel (chairman
of the committee) presiding.
Chairman Engel. The committee will come to order.
Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a
recess of the committee at any point. Pursuant to Committee
Rule 4, the chair announces that the chair may postpone further
proceedings on approving any measure, or matter, or adopting an
amendment.
Without objection, all members may have 5 days to submit
statements or extraneous material on today's business.
As members were notified yesterday, we intended to consider
today's measures and amendments en bloc. Pursuant to notice,
for purposes of markup I will now call up the en bloc passages
consisting of seven measures:
First, H. Res. 543, Recognizing Hong Kong's bilateral
relationship with the U.S., with an amendment in the nature of
a substitute;
Two, H.R. 3289, Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of
2019, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute;
H.R. 4270, Protect Hong Kong Act, with an amendment in the
nature of a substitute;
H. Res. 517, Supporting the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB,
malaria, and its Sixth Replenishment;
H. Res. 387, Condemning continued violence against
civilians by armed groups in the Central American(sic)
Republic, with an Engel amendment;
H. Res. 552, Calling on the Government of the Russian
Federation to release Paul Whelan, and finally;
H. Res. 521, which commends the Canadian Government for
their efforts in extracting a Huawei executive.
At this time I recognize myself to speak on today's
business. And I am pleased to support all of the measures
before us today, and I thank our members for their hard work. I
want to start by discussing our strong measures that address
the situation in Hong Kong.
Over the past months we have watched as the people of Hong
Kong have bravely and tirelessly protested for their rights and
their freedoms. And we are watching in realtime as Beijing
tries to flex its muscles and stifle this democratic dissent.
Thirty years after the Tiananmen Square massacre Chinese
authorities are still trying to use violence and intimidation
to crush fundamental freedoms.
To the Chinese Communist Party and those seeking to
undermine Hong Kong's freedom and autonomy let me be crystally
clear: the House Foreign Affairs Committee will not just sit
idly by. So, I am pleased we have a number of good measures
before us today to demonstrate our support for the Hong Kong
people at this critical time.
First, we have Mr. Smith's Hong Kong Human Rights and
Democracy Act, which requires regular evaluations of Beijing's
aggressive attempts to interfere in Hong Kong society.
We also have Mr. Sherman's resolution that condemns China's
intrusions in Hong Kong's affairs, and supports the people of
Hong Kong's right to protest.
And there is Mr. McGovern's PROTECT Hong Kong Act which
addresses the disturbingly excessive use of force by the Hong
Kong police against protestors. This bipartisan bill ensures
that U.S. weapons are not being used to contribute to these
horrific abuses.
All three of these measures are important ways for us to
take a stand on these critical issues, and I am pleased to
support them all.
Another measure on China today is Mr. McCaul's H. Res. 521.
China has essentially been playing a game of hostage diplomacy
with our ally and neighbor Canada, arresting and detaining
Canadian citizens purely to retaliate against Canada's lawfully
arresting a Huawei executive. This measure rightly shows our
support for Canada, upholding the rule of law, and expresses
concern over this dangerous and inappropriate response from the
Chinese Government.
Next, we have a measure dealing with an American citizen
being wrongfully held in prison abroad. Russia's Vladimir Putin
and his cronies have kept American Paul Whelan locked up for
over 8 months without providing so much as a shred of evidence
that he has done anything wrong. H. Res. 552 calls on the
Russian Government to provide evidence or release Mr. Whelan so
he can come home to the United States and receive the proper
medical treatment he so urgently needs. Every day he spends in
that Russian prison is yet another day spent suffering. This is
another reminder of the kind of leader Putin is, and something
we should all keep in mind.
I strongly support this measure. And I want to thank
Representative Stevens for his hard work to seek justice for
Paul Whelan and his family.
Next, I will turn to my resolution with Mr. McCaul that
demonstrates Congress' bipartisan support for the Global Fund
to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The Global Fund has
contributed to incredible achievements in the fight against
some of the world's most terrible diseases. We cannot accept
the Trump amendments--Trump Administration's drastic cut to
this lifesaving program, so I am pleased that we are moving
this forward, and hope all members will join me in supporting
it.
Finally, we turn to the Central African Republic with their
over 1 million people displaced by horrific violence and
instability. Mr. Cicilline and Mr. Fortenberry's resolution
before us today condemns the random violence of armed groups in
the Central African Republic, and supports the country's
efforts to move toward stability and accountability. It is a
good measure that shows we are paying attention to this
critical issue. And I hope all members will join me in
supporting it.
Again, I am pleased to support all the measures on today's
markup, and I urge all members on both sides to join me in
doing so.
And I will now recognize our ranking Member Mr. McCaul of
Texas for his remarks.
Mr. McCaul. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to thank
you again for your bipartisanship. I was on the floor yesterday
with Congressman Levin debating six bills that we passed on
suspension dealing with human rights in Burma, and genocide.
And it just makes me proud to be a part of this committee.
And today we are going to mark up two bipartisan bills and
five bipartisan resolutions. And I want to start by thanking
you, Chairman Engel, for your work on H. Res. 517 supporting
the Global Fund, which I am proud to be the lead Republican on
this effort. It is vitally important. As you mentioned, the
cuts were unacceptable. I think you and I standing together to
fully fund this Global Health Fund, right now in the United
Nations is, the Assembly is in New York right now, and there
will be a global health conference in Lyons, France, in
October.
I think this important piece of legislation will send a
strong message to the world that we intend to fully fund it.
And we also want full participation from other countries.
Today we will consider three very important Hong Kong
measures. Last week I was proud to join Speaker Pelosi, and
you, sir, and Mr. Engel, Congressman Smith, the author of the
bill, and Jim McGovern, and several Hong Kong pro-democracy
activists to denounce China's authoritarian brutality. I said
it then and I will say it again: today we stand not as
Republicans or Democrats but as Americans united in our strong
support for Hong Kong.
And as I said at the press conference directly to the
people of Hong Kong, America stands with you, and we will
always support you. We hear you sing our national anthem and we
see you carrying our American flag. This is a battle between
democracy versus dictatorship, liberty versus tyranny, and
freedom versus oppression.
And I am pleased that today we will consider Mr. Smith's
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act which sends a clear
message to China that there will be consequences to their
ruthless and brutal actions. This committee, this Congress, and
the United States and the world will not stand by idly as the
Chinese Communist Party fights for itself and not its own
people.
I know we have read many reports coming out of China after
our press conference. I am sure we will hear many today. I wear
that as a badge of honor.
I would also like to highlight H. Res. 521, which I
introduced with my good friend Chairman Engel. This resolution
commends Canada for upholding the rule of law regarding
extradition of Huawei Technology's chief financial officer Meng
Wanzhou. It also expresses concern with China's retaliatory and
hostile actions against Canadian citizens detained in China.
China's hostage diplomacy is abhorrent. Canadian citizens
Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have been detained in China
since last year without due process, and have been subjected to
harsh conditions, such as limited consular access, no attorney
representation, and lengthy interrogations.
Meanwhile, Ms. Meng, on the other hand, has received proper
treatment in Canadian custody, with all her legal, health, and
other needs attended to, and is currently released on bail.
What a difference in the two criminal justice systems. I
commend Canada, and regret that the Canadian citizens are
paying the price for China's malfeasance. Canadian citizens
must be released immediately.
Finally, we all need to remember that Huawei is supported
by the Chinese Government and is responsive to its leaders. Our
data is not safe or secure on their systems. And I appreciate
Australia--and I was at the embassy last weekend with the prime
minister--and other countries who have pushed back against
Huawei.
So, Mr. Chairman, I look forward to supporting you and
these measures today, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. McCaul.
Mr. Sherman.
Mr. Sherman. I am pleased that the chair and ranking member
have guided us here to a group of legislation that we can all
be proud of. I am pleased to co-sponsor all the bills under
consideration. And once again this committee sets a standard
for bipartisanship.
Particularly want to focus on the stand with Hong Kong
resolution, which I introduced along with Ms. Wagner, Mr.
Connolly, Mr. Yoho, and of course we have other co-sponsors as
well. This demonstrates that the so-called Extradition Bill is
an infringement on the rights, the autonomy rights of Hong
Kong, and that we stand with the protestors and their fine
demands: the complete withdrawal of this Extradition Bill, the
implementation of universal suffrage, and the election of a
chief executive and all members of the Legislative Council, the
establishment of an independent commission to investigate
police conduct during the protests, the declassification of the
protestors as rioters, and the dropping of all charges against
persons who participated in the protests.
We are also considering, and I am pleased to co-sponsor,
the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the PROTECT
Hong Kong Act.
I join with Mr. Cicilline in his concern for what is
happening in the Central African Republic.
I commend the chairman for his resolution regarding our
commitment to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and
malaria.
And, of course, we need to call for the proper handling of
the complaint against an American citizen, Paul Whelan, who is
being held by Russia, and with Russia not as of yet producing
charges or credible evidence.
And, of course, Canada is to be commended for its steadfast
adherence to its obligations under the extradition treaty with
the United States in connection with the chief financial
officer of Huawei. Unfortunately, Canadian nationals are being
held in response. We need to make a claim to China that it is
very hard to do business when they engage in hostage diplomacy.
So, I urge a yes vote on all the bills. And I yield back.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Sherman.
Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
And, Mr. Chairman, as you and Ranking Member McCaul, and
other members of this committee know so well, the 1984 Sino-
British joint declaration that facilitated the conveyance of
Hong Kong from the U.K. to the PRC beginning July 1st, 1997,
was absolutely clear that autonomy, human rights, including
press assembly, association, and religion would be exactly the
same as before the hand-over for at least 50 years. And that
would take them to the year 2047.
The basic law of Hong Kong adopted by China's National
People's Congress in 1990 was also clear that autonomy and
rights would be protected, again, with no diminution whatsoever
of that autonomy and rights until 2047. Today, however, those
promises solemnly undertaken by Beijing have seriously eroded
and, as stated in the most recent State Department report, they
have been diminished.
Since that report, however, things have gotten demonstrably
worse. So, I would like to thank--On a daily basis we are
reminded of the desire of the brave people of Hong Kong to be
free and how the totalitarian regime of Xi Jinping is working
to dismantle the rights and liberties of the people of Hong
Kong.
So, I would like to thank Chairman Engel, Ranking Member
McCaul, and their staff, for working diligently with my staff
and with the lead Democratic co-sponsor Jim McGovern, and the
Speaker's staff to bring the Hong Kong Human Rights Democracy--
and Democracy Act to markup. This legislation is timely and it
is essential.
Five years ago I first introduced the Hong Kong Human
Rights and Democracy Act, co-sponsored by House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi, and then on the Senate side with co-chair of the China
Commission, Senator Sherrod Brown. The bill allowed for more
flexible and robust U.S. responses to the steady erosion of
Hong Kong's autonomy and human rights.
Over the years we have upgraded the bill. This is the
fourth time we have introduced it. But, again, this comes at
the most critical time. Look how many people are out on the
streets. Joshua Wong had the press conference last week, and he
said it in a Washington Post article back in June, that at one
point there were 2 million people on the streets. That is one-
fourth of the entire population of Hong Kong.
So, again I want to thank my good friends and colleagues
for co-sponsoring, including many members of this committee.
Specifically, the bill directs the Secretary of State to
certify to Congress annually whether the Hong Kong--whether
Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law
different from mainland China in such matters as trade,
customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation,
and protection of human rights and the rule of law.
It also underscores the need for the State Department not
to deny entry visas based on the applicant's arrest or
detention for participating in non-violent protest activities
in Hong Kong.
I requires the annual report on whether the Hong Kong
Government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and
sanctions laws, requires the Secretary of State to submit a
strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in
Hong Kong from erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because
of actions taken by the Chinese Communist Government,
especially in Beijing.
It requires the President to identify and sanction persons
in Hong Kong or in mainland China responsible for the erosion
of human right and Hong Kong's autonomy.
The particular amendment in the nature of a substitute
further directs the State Department to provide greater
analysis of the threats to Hong Kong's autonomy and extend the
period of reporting by requiring certification by the Secretary
of State. It helps to ensure an honest evaluation of the
situation as it really is on the ground, much as our annual
trafficking in persons tier rankings are intended to do.
And it contains a waiver provision, agreed to by both sides
of the aisle, to ensure that our actions enhance the autonomy
of Hong Kong rather than inadvertently harming it.
I would also like to urge passage of Chairman McGovern's
PROTECT Hong Kong Act, which I am the lead Republican co-
sponsor. Congressman McGovern and I were the first Members of
Congress to call on the Trump Administration to suspend the
sale of tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, and other crowd
control equipment to the Hong Kong police. In tandem with the
Hong Kong Human Rights Democracy Act, Congress is sending a
clear bipartisan and bicameral statement. And I do urge support
for this legislation.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Smith.
Ms. Bass.
Ms. Bass. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to thank my
colleague Representative Cicilline for introducing H. Res. 387.
I am discouraged by the continuing violence between rival armed
groups in the Central African Republic that has caused
fatalities and injuries to innocent citizens and peacekeepers.
The recent clashes between the Popular Front for the
Renaissance of the Central African Republic and the movement of
the Central African Freedom Fighters for Justice is a direct
conflict of the peace deal signed by 14 armed groups in
February of this year.
I am concerned about the effectiveness of ending the
violence that has plagued the country since the removal of the
former President Bozize in 2013.
Furthermore, this unrelenting conflict has forced millions
of CAR's residents to migrate to neighboring countries, fleeing
their homes and livelihoods. I also condemn the violence
against innocent civilians and humanitarian workers, and I call
on the international community to help find long-term,
sustainable solutions that will help stabilize the region.
CAR has made progress toward democracy, justice, and
accountability by holding democratic elections in 2016, and by
establishing the Special Criminal Court and Peace Committee in
2017.
Since 2013, the U.S. has been the largest single donor to
the humanitarian response in CAR, and has remained involved in
peace throughout the country--in promoting peace throughout the
country. This measure resolves that the U.S. must maintain
strong leadership and support in CAR to ensure regional
security and stability. The resolution condemns violence
committed by all armed actors within CAR.
What is very important about this resolution is that it
calls for coordination between U.S. agencies in providing
assistance, and for the U.S. Embassy in Bangui to have adequate
staff and funding. This is critical for supporting this
partnership with the Central African Republic.
I also want to thank Chairman Engel and Ranking Member
McCaul for introducing H. Res. 517. This resolution outlines
the value of the Global Fund's contribution to fighting AIDS,
malaria, and TB; highlights the historical U.S. leadership role
with the Global Fund; and references the upcoming replenishment
and contributions by other countries to date.
Thank you and I yield back.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Ms. Bass.
Mr. Chabot.
Mr. Chabot. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to focus on
Hong Kong and on the three related measures we have before us
today, and I will be relatively brief, namely, the Hong Kong
Human Rights and Democracy Act authored by Mr. Smith; Mr.
McGovern's PROTECT Hong Kong Act; and Mr. Sherman's resolution
on the protests. All of them I am supportive and thank them for
offering these, and thank them for their leadership.
Over the past several months we have watched as the people
of Hong Kong have bravely stood up to the Chinese Communist
Party demanding that Hong Kong authorities withdraw the
Extradition Bill that would have further eroded Hong Kong's
economy. When Britain handed Hong Kong back to the Chinese
Communist Party, Hong Kong was guaranteed basic human rights,
basic freedoms, along with a substantial degree of autonomy.
The Chinese Communist Party proceeded to break all those
promises, not surprisingly, like most of the other promises
that they had broken over time. True to form, they have worked
to steadily erode Hong Kong's independence. And the Extradition
Bill is only the last straw for the people of Hong Kong who
have no desire to live under the yoke of the PRC, where dissent
is a crime, and basic human rights ignored.
After months of delay, Beijing ultimately let Hong Kong's
leadership withdraw the Extradition Bill, but not before the
people of Hong Kong became determined to not only defeat the
bill but also to win back some of their long-lost freedoms. As
protests continue as we approach October 1st, the 70th
anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party's bloody rule, the
jury is still out on whether we will actually see something
akin to Tiananmen Square once again.
I would just like to conclude by saying that the erosion of
basic human rights that we are witnessing in Hong Kong, it is
really the basic nature of the CCP, the Chinese Communist
Party. It is what they are all about. Look no further than
Xinjiang, than Tibet. We have seen this time and time again
that the people under their yoke really have no freedoms at
all.
That is the vision of the Chinese Communist Party, not only
there, but their vision for the way the rest of the world ought
to be under their yoke. We must never let their vision triumph.
I am proud, and happy, and thank my colleagues on both
sides of the aisle that today we are standing with the people
of Hong Kong by enacting these measures. And I want to thank my
colleagues for doing that.
I would urge support of these and yield back.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Chabot.
Mr. Keating.
Mr. Keating. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Engel. Mr. Keating.
Mr. Keating. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As a co-sponsor of H.
Res. 552 I am deeply saddened but not surprised that we must
call on the government of the Russian Federation to release
U.S. resident Paul Whelan. It is nearly 9 months since Paul's
arrest occurred on December 28th.
The Russian Government has refused to provide any evidence
to substantiate the espionage charges against Paul. They
continue to hold Paul in pretrial detention, consistently
delaying his trial, subjecting him to physical and
psychological pressure, denying him the ability to speak freely
with U.S. Embassy staff or receive some of the basic privileges
to which Russian prisoners in the United States are entitled,
such as the opportunity to speak with family members.
The Russian Government has consistently denied requests for
Paul to be examined or treated by a private physician to
address pre-existing health concerns. These concerns have been
reiterated to the Russian Government time and time again by the
U.S. Embassy, as well as the embassies of the United Kingdom,
Ireland, Canada, and all the countries of which Paul has
citizenship.
I have spoken frequently with Paul's sister Elizabeth, who
has seen firsthand the pain and the anguish Paul's continued
detention has caused, not only for him but for the members of
his family.
I hope you will support H. Res. 552, and join me in urging
the Government of Russia to provide the evidence against Paul,
allow a fair and transparent judicial process without delay,
facilitate Paul's medical care, and allow for unrestricted
visits with the U.S. Embassy. The Russian Government has not
been able to provide evidence against Paul. And we must all
stand with the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada in calling
for Paul's immediate release.
I yield back.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Keating.
Mr. Yoho. Oh, Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Wilson. No, no. I yield to Mr. Yoho. But please keep me
on the list.
Chairman Engel. You will be next, Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Wilson. Thank you.
Chairman Engel. I promise.
Mr. Yoho. It is an honor to go ahead of Mr. Wilson. I
appreciate it.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing this to
happen, and Ranking Member McCaul. These measures include H.
Res. 543 by Representative Sherman, H.R. 3289 by Representative
Smith, and H.R. 4270 by Representative McGovern, and I am a
proud co-sponsor of all three.
Representative Sherman's resolution recognizes Hong Kong's
bilateral relationship with the United States, condemns the
interference of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong
affairs, and supports the people of Hong Kong's rights to
protest.
H.R. 4270, the PROTECT Hong Kong Act, prohibits the export
of riot control equipment like tear gas to the Hong Kong
police. This is in response to the continuing concerns
regarding human rights abuses against Hong Kong demonstrators
by the Hong Kong police.
H.R. 3289, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,
builds on the Hong Kong Policy Act, the cornerstone for our
bilateral relationship, and allows the Administration to
reexamine our special relationship with Hong Kong and revoke
privileges should the autonomy and freedoms of Hong Kong
continue to erode. This bill applies sanctions to human rights
abusers, and ensures that visas are not blocked by pro-
democracy protestors.
Each of these measures demonstrates the United States'
continued commitment to preserving the autonomy and freedom of
Hong Kong and its people. And we have witnessed the impact of
these bills firsthand as pro-democracy's demonstrators in Hong
Kong stood outside U.S. consulates waving U.S. flags, and
asking the U.S. Government to help them.
As Members of Congress, we must continue to provide
strength through unity to the Hong Kongers who are desperately
protecting the freedoms and liberties they hold dear. Over the
past 4 months mass civilian protests in Hong Kong have begun to
shed light on the deterioration of the Chinese Communist
Party's suppression of freedom. Rising resentment in Hong Kong
is not simply a result of ill-fated--of the ill-fated
extradition law championed by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, but
now the continued encroachment on freedom and liberties by
emperor Xi Jinping and the CCP.
Despite the 1997 British-Chinese agreement, leaders in
Beijing continue to dishonor that agreement, and Hong Kong's
autonomy continues to disappear. The protestors now maintain
the five demands. We have heard them talked about today. The
only one that has been removed was by Chief Executive Lam, and
that was the Extradition Bill. In response to this continued
unrest, the CCP through acts of ignorance has continued to cast
blame on the United States and other democratic nations for
interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs and encouraging
mass civil protests.
In response to recent Tweets by me and some of our
colleagues, the Chinese foreign minister released a statement
that said, ``I cannot help asking the relevant Senators and
House Representatives, Are you lawmakers or are you law
breakers? Hong Kong affairs are entirely internal affairs, and
you are neither entitled nor qualified to comment on them. Mind
your own business and stay out of Hong Kong affairs.''
The CCP will continue to blame western nations for standing
with the people of Hong Kong, as the party's biggest fear is
freedom in their own backyard. It is not the U.S. to blame. The
cause is simple, it is freedom and liberty. The people of Hong
Kong have experienced these. They cherish, they cherish them
and they do not want to lose them.
Unfortunately, Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party
do not understand liberty and freedom because they have neither
experienced either one of them. I urge China to not make the
same mistake they did 30 years ago in Tiananmen Square by
bringing violence into the struggle. I stand with Hong Kong and
will continue to support personal freedoms and democracy in
Hong Kong. And I ask my colleagues to do the same.
I yield back.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Yoho.
Ms. Wild.
Ms. Wild. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to you,
Mr. Chairman, and to Ranking Member McCaul for introducing H.
Res. 517, Supporting the Global Fund to fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis, Malaria, and its Sixth Replenishment.
As a member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee charged
with protecting health and human rights across the globe, we
have a responsibility to do everything within our power to
shape a future in which no child, woman, or man dies from a
preventable or treatable disease. The Global Fund puts us on
the path to combat and ultimately eradicate the epidemics of
AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria around the world.
Since its creation in 2002, more than 27 million lives have
been saved in countries where the Global Fund invests. Across
the world the Fund has come to be seen as a model for
developing effective partnerships between governments, the
private sector, civil society, and affected communities to take
on health epidemics. The Global Fund has contributed to
extraordinary improvements in global health over all. It is the
world's largest financier of treatment and prevention programs
for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The Fund has helped to reduce by half the number of AIDS-
related deaths since 2005, contributed to a 37 percent decline
in tuberculosis deaths from 2000 to 2016, and a 60 percent
decline in the number of malaria deaths since 2000. Despite
this progress, far too many people, including far too many
children, lack access to the most basic health care services
and medicine. That is why it is so essential that we pass H.
Res. 517 with a resounding bipartisan vote.
This resolution rightly commends the work of the Global
Fund and its partners for their contributions in decreasing the
prevalence of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, while also
reaffirming Congress' support for the Global Fund by providing
robust U.S. funding so that we can make greater progress.
As we redouble our efforts to advance global health, we
should also urge other donor countries to step up the fight
against these diseases, and increase their pledges with a Sixth
Global Fund Replenishment. And we should, we should urge
countries that receive support from the Global Fund to meet
ambitious co-financing requirements to sustain the progress on
ending these epidemics.
I am proud to co-sponsor and vote in support of H. Res.
517, a resolution supporting the Global Fund to fight AIDS,
tuberculosis, malaria, and its Sixth Replenishment. I want to
thank Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul for introducing
this resolution. And I urge my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle to vote yes on H. Res. 517.
Thank you. I yield back.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Ms. Wild.
Now, Mr. Wilson, it is finally your turn.
Mr. Wilson. I especially thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Chairman Eliot Engel and Republic Leader Michael
McCaul for bringing these important measures before us today. I
am grateful for the bipartisan support this committee is
showing today in support of the brave people of Hong Kong.
For 16 consecutive weeks now the world has witnessed the
brave people of Hong Kong stand up and promote self-
determination of their destiny from Beijing. The world deluded
itself to believe that China would honor its pledge of ``one
country, two systems'' after the British Government handed over
control of Hong Kong to China in 1997. But Hong Kong is a model
of openness for the people of China. Hong Kong stands as a
clear example to the average Chinese people that you can be
both free and rich. It is a symbol of everything Americans hold
dear.
I appreciate so much President Donald Trump has
courageously identified the democratic aspirations that are
bursting under the chains of tyranny. My interest for the
people of China is personal in that my father in 1944 served
with the Flying Tigers in Chengdu, Ziyang, and Kunming, where
he appreciated and supported the Chinese people to resist
aggression.
I am grateful to be a co-sponsor of all three measures
today that deal with Hong Kong. Thank you to our colleagues
Brad Sherman, Chris Smith, and Jim McGovern for their hard work
on the Hong Kong bills before us. This is a critical issue that
requires strong and united leadership, and I am grateful that
this committee is doing just that by marking up the measures
today.
Last, I would like to express my strong support for
Chairman Eliot Engel and Republic Leader Michael McCaul's H.
Res. 517 supporting the Global Fund. Since its inception in
2001, the Global Fund has raised nearly $50 billion in support
of fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. In 2018 alone, the
Global Fund distributed 131 million mosquito nets to prevent
malaria, treated 5.3 million people with TB, and provided
medication to 18.9 million people living with HIV. Thirty-two
million lives have been saved thanks to the Global Fund since
2001.
I am grateful to stand with this committee in support of
the lifesaving work made possible by the Global Fund. I urge my
colleagues to do as well.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Cicilline.
Mr. Cicilline. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you and thank
Ranking Member McCaul for holding this markup today and for
once again bringing up a bipartisan slate of important bills
that will express this committee's support for peaceful
protestors in Hong Kong; demonstrate our ongoing commitment to
fighting TB, malaria, and AIDS through the Global Fund; hold
authoritarian governments to account; and express our support
for peace in the Central African Republic.
I think these bills form a testament to our values as a
committee that has historically been upheld to our foreign
policy.
I am proud to co-sponsor H. Res. 543, Mr. Sherman's
resolution recognizing the strong bilateral relationship
between Hong Kong and the United States; Mr. Smith's bill, the
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act; and Mr. McGovern's
bill to restrict the sale of certain crowd control items to the
Government of Hong Kong.
For weeks, the people of Hong Kong have taken to the
streets to protest the authoritarian actions of the Chinese
Government at every-increasing attempts to control Hong Kong.
These brave protestors have persisted despite brutal actions on
the part of the Hong Kong police and the ongoing threat of
retaliation from mainland China. The people of Hong Kong
deserve to determine their own future, and the United States
must speak out against any government that uses aggressive and
illegal tactics against peaceful protestors.
I want to turn to H. Res. 387, a bipartisan resolution I
introduced with our colleague Jeff Fortenberry supporting the
peace process and the ongoing American development efforts in
the Central African Republic. I want to thank the Better World
Campaign, the U.N. Foundation for their leadership on issues
related to CAR, and for organizing the trip that I took along
with members of Mr. Fortenberry's team so that we could see
firsthand the challenges to maintaining peace in the country.
I also want to thank Chairwoman Bass and Chairman Engel for
their ongoing engagement on this issue. I was lucky enough to
travel to CAR and know the promise and peril. I have met with
the Central African Republic leadership and worked with Mr.
Fortenberry to craft legislation that lays out an important
roadmap for the country to move beyond the current strike to
find a lasting political solution to the conflict.
I want to begin by highlighting the importance of
peacekeeping in general, and specifically within the country as
the U.N. peacekeeping there, MINUSCA, is playing a critical
role in maintaining stability. Let me say at the outset that it
is certainly my view that the U.N. peacekeeping is a vital tool
at our disposal to keep civil wars from expanding into regional
conflicts, reduce force displacement, and prevent terrorists
and criminals from establishing safe havens in places in
countries where governance is weak.
International peacekeeping efforts save the U.S. money and
resources while protecting our national interests. This
viewpoint is not mine alone. A 2018 U.S. Government
Accountability Office report found that U.N. peacekeeping
missions operate at one-eighth the cost of what it would take
to deploy American troops alone.
The U.S. military shares the same view about the value of
peacekeeping. Lt. Gen. Castellaw who served over 30 years in
the U.S. Marine Corps backs up this report. He said, and I
quote, ``Having spent about a third of my career deployed
outside the United States, I know that Americans are not afraid
to go in harms way. But we can't be and we shouldn't have to be
everywhere all the time. U.N. peacekeeping, like the mission I
saw in CAR, helps ensure every country does its fair share to
protect vulnerable populations and promote peace. It saves us
money but, more importantly, it saves the lives of those who
serve.''
I mentioned peacekeeping to Lt. Gen. Castellaw because I
traveled with him to the Central African Republic to see the
work of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in that country up close.
When I traveled with Lt. Castellaw in 2017, I witnessed
firsthand the invaluable contributions of U.N. peacekeepers at
preventing genocide. I saw peacekeepers protecting civilians
and meeting with both Christian and Muslim communities to bring
neighbors together and rebuild after conflict.
I also met with President Touadera, a former mathematics
professor, who is committed to bringing peace not just to the
capital of Bangui, but to the remote areas about and beyond to
bring peace dividends to those marginalized communities.
I understand the challenges that the country still faces,
including the lack of infrastructure, the difficulties of
rebuilding the security sector, the need to end corruption,
promoting good government, and reforming the justice system to
end cycles of violence and revenge. For now, more than 600,000
people remain exiled in squalid, poorly funded refugee camps,
most in Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
And 464,000 more are dispersed across CAR where 14 armed groups
are vying for control.
But there is also hope, despite these ongoing challenges.
For instance, the United Nations Refugee Agency said it has
helped support the voluntary repatriation of around 1,500
refugees this year alone, while a further 14,000 have expressed
willingness to be repatriated in the coming months thanks to
improved security.
In February of this year the government signed an African
Union-sponsored peace agreement with 14 armed groups that have
controlled large swaths of territory in CAR. The peace
agreement's aim is to decrease violence and include the voices
of marginalized communities. These are definite signs of
progress. But a bevy of challenge remain which this legislation
can help ameliorate.
This bill highlights the U.S. commitment to the people of
the Central African Republic in supporting a democratic
government in their efforts to make a lasting peace in the
country and the region. It calls for continued U.S. support for
U.N. peacekeeping operations, it recognizes the progress that
has been made, and lays out opportunities for tackling the
challenges that remain.
It is my hope that the strong showing of support for this
resolution will help keep progress moving and demonstrate the
ongoing commitment of the U.S. Government to achieving peace in
the Central African Republic.
With that, I yield back. And thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Cicilline.
Is there anyone else on the Republican side seeking
recognition?
[No response.]
Chairman Engel. OK, then we will go to Mr. Castro.
Mr. Castro. Thank you, Chairman. And thank you to Ranking
Member McCaul. These measures, all seven, are useful steps
toward addressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities
around the world today. All will improve our country's
standing, strengthen our security, and ensure the United States
remains a champion of liberty and justice for all in our
foreign policy. I am proud to support passage for each of them,
and will highlight a few specifically.
Before us are three measures responding to the situation in
Hong Kong that reaffirm American commitment to universal
liberties. Just as the United States must be earnest in
promoting common cause on fundamental values, we must also call
out abuses. These items from my colleagues on this committee
make clear that the United States will stand up for basic
rights and do its part to stop persecution.
The United States has a moral responsibility to call out
misbehavior and not turn a blind eye to wrongdoing around the
world. That is why I support these urgent and timely actions.
When citizens took to the streets to register their
opposition to a proposed Extradition Bill that would have
flagrantly undermined the rule of law, they were defending
their vital semi-autonomous status under the ``one country, two
systems'' framework established in 1997. As those in Hong Kong
continue to exercise civil disobedience, they deserve
protection. Violence by any party is unacceptable.
A testament to the success of universal rights and
protections, the United States is the greatest example of self-
determination for freedom-loving people the world over. As
proud Americans, we should not compromise our values, nor
censor criticism especially to appease anti-democratic
authoritarians, not today and not ever. Amid reports of Chinese
Communist Party disinformation campaigns and the buildup of
military personnel on the mainland, we must clearly condemn
efforts to silence the voice of the people.
Thirty years removed from Tiananmen Square, the
international community still remembers and watches vigilantly
today. I stand in solidarity with peaceful supporters of
freedom.
Thank you, Chairman. I yield back.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Castro.
Mr. Levin.
Mr. Levin. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
I want to thank you, Chairman Engel, as well as Ranking
Member McCaul for this package of bills. And I want to speak
particularly on H. Res. 552 which calls on the Russian
Government to provide evidence of wrongdoing or to release
United States citizen Paul Whelan. Mr. Whelan is a Michigander
from the district of my friend and neighboring Congresswoman
Haley Stevens. He was arrested in Russia in December of last
year and has been held without trial in a Russian prison.
The Russian Government has presented zero evidence that
Paul committed a crime, and yet, he remains in prison, denied
due process. And now he is in very poor health. We must bring
Paul Whelan home.
I hope this resolution sends a clear message to the Russian
Government, and I hope it assures his brave family that we are
absolutely committed to getting Paul back to Michigan safely
and soon.
I strongly urge everyone on this committee to support this
resolution. And I yield back the balance of my time.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Levin.
Are there any other members seeking recognition?
Mr. Malinowski.
Mr. Malinowski. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say
a couple of things about the Hong Kong bills.
I am very, very glad that we are moving them forward on a
bipartisan basis. The Hong Kong people's struggle for democracy
and human rights is their struggle, theirs alone, led by them,
but it also clearly implicates America's national interests.
This is about a promise that the Chinese Communist Party made,
not just to the people of Hong Kong but to all of us, including
the United States, that Hong Kong's autonomy as a rule of law
environment would be maintained. That promise is being
violated. And I think it is extremely important that we
communicate clearly to the Chinese Government that these
promises need to be kept.
And I can say from my own experience as a former diplomat
having dealt with the Chinese, that they, they are very, very
concerned about international opinion. Their frantic efforts to
persuade us not to pass resolutions like this, not to make
statements like this are a testament to their sensitivity and
their concern about what the international community may think.
I also want to add that I do hope as we rightly speak out
about the events in Hong Kong that we also move as quickly as
possible to address another human rights situation in China,
the situation involving the Uighur people. As awful as Chinese
influence, repression in Hong Kong has been, it pales in
comparison to what is probably the single greatest abuse of
human rights in the world today, the detention of up to 10
percent of the popula--the Uighur population, and attempt to
essentially eradicate a people and a culture.
We have legislation in the House that is, frankly, it is
good. I would even want it to be stronger. I believe we
absolutely do need to mandate sanctions against those
responsible in China for these terrible abuses, and to wrestle
more than we have with the question of complicity by American
and multinational companies in China's instruments of
oppression: its surveillance state, its labor abuses in
Xinjiang and so forth.
So, I hope that we will come soon to a point where this
committee can come together around some strong measures to deal
with the situation in Xinjiang as well.
Thank you, and I yield.
Chairman Engel. Thank you, Mr. Malinowski.
Anyone else seeking recognition?
[No response.]
Chairman Engel. OK, hearing no further requests for
recognition, and without objection, the committee will proceed
to consider the noticed items en bloc. Without objection, each
measure is considered as read and the amendments to each are
considered as read and are agreed to.
[The Measures and Amendments en bloc follow:]
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Chairman Engel. The question occurs on the measure en bloc,
as amended, if amended. All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, no.
In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The measures
considered en bloc are agreed to. And without objection, each
measure if ordered favorably reported, as amended, if amended.
And any amendments to a bill shall be reported as a single
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Without objection, staff is authorized to make any
technical and conforming changes. And this concludes our
business today.
I want to once again thank Ranking Member McCaul and all of
the committee members for their contributions and assistance
with today's markup. The committee stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:02 a.m., the committee was adjourned.]
APPENDIX
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MARKUP SUMMARY
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