Bills · HR 2661
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2661International Affairs
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
INTRO APR 7· LAST ACTION APR 7
READING
12MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it ties the continued presence and special status of Hong Kong's official representatives in the U.S. directly to Hong Kong's level of autonomy from mainland China. For decades, the U.S. has treated Hong Kong as a separate entity from China in many respects, reflecting its promised "high degree of autonomy" under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework.
If this bill becomes law, it would formalize a regular review process, making it harder for Hong Kong's offices to operate with their current privileges if its autonomy is seen to have significantly eroded. If the bill passes, it signals a stronger U.S. stance on Hong Kong's diminishing freedoms and could lead to the closure of these offices, symbolically and practically reducing Hong Kong's separate presence in the U.S. This bill directly impacts U.S. foreign policy towards China and Hong Kong, reflecting ongoing concerns about human rights and democratic erosion in Hong Kong.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of State to regularly determine if Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) in the U.S. still deserve special diplomatic-like privileges, based on Hong Kong's autonomy.
This creates a specific, recurring review process for the status of HKETOs, linking it to political developments in Hong Kong.
PROVISION 02
Mandates a detailed report to Congress justifying the Secretary of State's determination regarding HKETO privileges, including national security considerations.
This increases transparency and provides Congress with information to scrutinize the Executive Branch's decision.
PROVISION 03
If the Secretary of State determines that HKETOs no longer merit special privileges, the offices must cease operations within 180 days.
This provision provides a direct consequence for a negative determination, potentially leading to the closure of these offices.
PROVISION 04
Allows Congress to pass a "disapproval resolution" to reject the Secretary of State's decision if the Secretary chooses to continue extending privileges to the HKETOs.
This gives Congress an oversight mechanism to override the Executive Branch's decision and remove HKETO privileges.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 3
R· New Jersey
YRS IN OFFICE
45
BILLS LED
61
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 66%
DEM 2 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAPR 7
Introduced in House
APR 7
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 2661
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 7, 2025
Last actionApr 7, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 7, 2025
House BillHR 2661International Affairs
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
INTRODUCED APR 7, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 7, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
12 min
COSPONSORS
3
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
