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118th Congress International Affairs

H.R. 1103: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

Passed HouseSep 10, 2024

  1. Introduced (completed)Feb 17, 2023
  2. Passed House (completed)Sep 10, 2024, 413–3
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Feb 17, 2023

This bill requires the President to periodically determine whether to allow the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) to continue to operate in the United States. (The HKETOs are the official representative offices for Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous city that was established as a British colony in 1841. The United Kingdom transferred sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997).

Under this bill, the President must periodically (at least once a year) certify to Congress a determination as to whether the HKETOs should be covered by the International Organizations Immunities Act. (The act provides immunities and privileges to certain international organizations, such as immunity from certain lawsuits and exemption from property taxes.)

If the President certifies that the HKETOs no longer merit receiving such privileges and immunities, the HKETOs must terminate operations in the United States no later than 180 days after the certification is delivered to Congress.

Read the full summary

If the President certifies that the HKETOs continue to merit such privileges and immunities, the HKETOs may continue operations for another year, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving of the certification.

The President may also revoke the application of such privileges and immunities to the HKETOs.

A federal government entity may enter into an agreement or partnership with an HKETO only if the HKETOs are still authorized to operate in the United States under this bill.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Sep 10, 2024

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Passed 413–3

Yea 413two-thirds 278Nay 3

  • Democrats201 yea, 2 nay
  • Republicans211 yea, 1 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Mark Takano (D-CA) and Tom McClintock (R-CA) voted Nay

See how all 416 members voted

Showing 430 of 430 members

Yea 413

Republicans (211)

Democrats (201)

Independents (1)

Nay 3

Republicans (1) broke with their party

Democrats (2) broke with their party

Not voting 14

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House Sep 10, 2024. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Sep 10, 2024HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as AmendedFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 413–3
    Roll call 405 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats201208
    Republicans211106
    Independents1000
    Total4133014

    House roll call 405: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended. Passed.

    3 crossed party lines: 2 Democrats, 1 Republican

    How each member voted (430)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

7

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

82 points earned
  1. 1Christopher Smith R-NJ SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, passed House3 events+36
  2. 2Tom McClintock R-CA1 maverick vote1 event+6
  3. 2Mark Takano D-CA1 maverick vote1 event+6
  4. 2Nydia Velázquez D-NY1 maverick vote1 event+6
  5. 5Mike Gallagher R-WICosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Christopher Smith

History

  1. Sep 10, 2024Passed the House, 413–3.
  2. Feb 17, 2023Introduced in the House by Christopher Smith.
Show the full action history (13 actions)
  1. Sep 25, 2024Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 527.
  2. Sep 10, 2024Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5119)
  3. Sep 10, 2024Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 3 (Roll no. 405).
  4. Sep 10, 2024On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 3 (Roll no. 405).
  5. Sep 10, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  6. Sep 9, 2024Mr. Barr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  7. Sep 9, 2024Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5068-5071)
  8. Sep 9, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1103.
  9. Sep 9, 2024At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. (text: CR H5068-5069)
  10. Nov 29, 2023Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  11. Nov 29, 2023Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
  12. Feb 17, 2023Introduced in House
  13. Feb 17, 2023Referred 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.