{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.curtis.senate.gov/press-releases/curtis-sullivan-merkley-condemn-ccps-transnational-repression-press-for-sanctions-on-hong-kong-judiciary-officials", "CURTIS, SULLIVAN, MERKLEY, CONDEMN CCP\u2019S TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION, PRESS FOR SANCTIONS ON HONG KONG JUDICIARY OFFICIALS", "2025-05-16", "2025", "2025-05", "Republican", "Senate", "UT", "John R. Curtis", "C001114", "www.curtis.senate.gov", "curtis", "https://www.curtis.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) this week introduced the Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act, which would hold officials of Hong Kong\u2019s judiciary accountable for human rights violations and support Hong Kongers facing persecution from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its accomplices in Hong Kong.\n\n\u201cThe United States must hold accountable those responsible for the erosion of freedoms and the persecution of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong,\u201d said Senator Curtis. \u201cBy directing the Administration to review sanctions, our bipartisan legislation reaffirms America\u2019s commitment to ensuring consequences for those who seek to undermine human rights and freedom.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party\u2019s aggressive repression of dissent and appalling human rights record extend far beyond China\u2019s borders,\u201d said Sen. Sullivan. \u201cEven American citizens and others lawfully living in our country have found themselves victims of the CCP regime\u2019s intimidation and coercion tactics. In Hong Kong, the CCP has completely corrupted the local judiciary and is turning it into a tool of intimidation and injustice, contrary to the promises made to the world, including in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. America must stand firmly against the CCP\u2019s flagrant violation of the civil rights of the Chinese people and citizens of nations across the globe. Senator Merkley, Senator Curtis and I are introducing legislation to hold Hong Kong judiciary officials accountable for their actions, and a resolution condemning the Xi dictatorship\u2019s outrageous attempts to threaten and intimidate citizens and others within our own country.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Chinese officials continue to undermine the autonomy and freedoms of its peoples, the United States must continue to hold these officials accountable,\u201d said Senator Merkley. \u201cRepublicans and Democrats are united in sending a clear message that we will not tolerate this brutal oppression, both within China and outside its borders. Our bipartisan resolution denounces these intimidation tactics, and our bill also imposes sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials for disregarding their treaty obligations and commitments to the people of Hong Kong.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act requires the President to determine whether certain Hong Kong officials violated human rights and whether sanctions should be imposed in accordance with the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, or the Hong Kong Autonomy Act.\n\nPrevious introduction of the legislation led to calls for the arrests of the Senators by Hong Kong officials. Then Congressman Curtis responded, saying, \u201cI have a message for those who would try to silence my calls for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong,\u201d Curtis said. \u201cI will not be bullied or silenced. Your catcalls from 8,000 miles away will only reinforce my resolve to fight for freedom in Hong Kong, Ukraine, Israel, and wherever else it is challenged.\u201d\n\nAdditionally, the senators this week introduced a resolution condemning the Chinese government for engaging in repression, coercion and intimidation beyond its own borders, targeting citizens of other nations, including in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:29Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.curtis.senate.gov/press-releases/curtis-sullivan-merkley-condemn-ccps-transnational-repression-press-for-sanctions-on-hong-kong-judiciary-officials"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 4.7186799347400665, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}