HB 29-08: Hong Kong Solidarity and Safe Harbor Act (Awaiting Sponsor)

[Joseph Cao]

[crackling, heavy static]

[muffled voice] I can sponsor.

Wow, this remote working service Comcast rigged up sure needs some better tech. Or maybe it's my location. Eh, no matter.

[static]

[Joseph Cao]

Sponsorship acknowledged, will have advocacy up by tomorrow.

[Joseph Cao]

Without going too much into RL circumstances, this is naturally a bill very close to my heart. As should be fairly clear, it codifies MB's earlier executive order and eliminates any barriers that might be thrown in their way by the PRC's justice system. On the other hand, it also bars those who have aided the destruction of Hong Kong's democratic process from seeking asylum here.

As Lumine has previously told us, the situation in Hong Kong is proceeding at about the same pace as (if not more quickly than) RL, and RL China appears content to let democracy in Hong Kong bleed and die slowly but steadily. What we can do here is offer help to the millions of citizens who, as in RL, would otherwise be caught up and punished for resisting the Chinese government's imposition of force. This bill does that, and I strongly urge its passage to make clear to the Chinese government and to the world that we are ready to put our money where our mouth is in the defense of democratic ideals everywhere.

[Joseph Cao]

Very proud to fight for freedom and stand with Hong Kong.

AYE!