Video & Transcript : 'Hong Kong democracy' :
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> realizing that in our democracy, realizing that in our democracy, we<01:03:36.480><c> have</c><
- This legislation recognizes that freedom and democracy are not mere ideals.
- ,</c> to the National Endowment for Democracy, to the National Endowment for Democracy, the<02:05:25.440
- This building has long been a symbol of freedom and democracy around the world. Mr.
- democracy around the world.
Keywords:
appropriations, State Department, foreign aid, foreign assistance, diplomacy, embassy security, consular services, passport backlog, visa wait times, international broadcasting, Fulbright, Peace Corps, Millennium Challenge Corporation, foreign military financing, security assistance, counterterrorism, nonproliferation, democracy promotion, human rights, global health
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
Iran, military force, War Powers Resolution, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, Congress, national security, China human rights, People’s Republic of China, PRC, political prisoners, religious freedom, free speech, arbitrary detention, dissidents, Hong Kong democracy, Uyghurs, Zion Church, Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><05:12:16.160><c> Democracy</c> Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and unfortunately, it's
- crackdown in Hong Kong.
- crackdown in Hong on Beijing's democracy crackdown in Hong Kong.<05:17:28.480><c> Mr.
- Jimmy Lai is in prison because he dared to defend democracy and free press in Hong Kong. Mr.
- Jimmy Lai is in prison because he dared to defend democracy and free press in Hong Kong. Mr.
Keywords:
organized retail crime, retail theft, cargo theft, supply chain crime, shoplifting, organized theft groups, cargo diversion, stolen goods, fencing, online marketplace, e-commerce, gift cards, prepaid cards, money laundering, Homeland Security Investigations, HSI, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, interstate theft, transnational crime
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
An oversight hearing to examine Meta's foreign relations and representations to the United States Congress. Apr 9th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism
Transcript Highlights:
- And then they talk about they're going to have to get their Hong Kong citizens to re-agree to terms of
- Is that impression... correct and how did Facebook treat Taiwan or Hong Kong?
- They planned to cover Hong Kong and Taiwan, is my understanding. surveillance operation was directed
- And Hong Kong? That's my understanding.
- Hong Kong down to the fact that they say we're going to have to actually re-TOS, does that mean Terms
Keywords:
Meta, Facebook, whistleblower, regulation, China, user data, artificial intelligence, testimony, Congress
Summary:
The meeting of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism focused on oversight of Meta's foreign relations and representations to Congress. An essential witness, Sarah Wynne-Williams, a former executive at Facebook, provided testimony outlining significant concerns about the company's practices and its complicity in aiding oppressive regimes. The atmosphere was charged, with ongoing debates about the regulation of big tech companies and the ethical implications of their policies. The committee explored topics such as user data management, whistleblower retaliation, and the need for legislative measures to protect users and enhance accountability in the tech sector. A notable point of contention was Facebook's alleged cooperation with the Chinese government regarding the dissemination of user data and AI tools, leading to serious ethical implications.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nominations of Elise Stefanik, of New York, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador, and the Representative of the United States of Americ Jan 30th, 2025 at 09:25 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We think of this in terms of Taiwan and Hong Kong, but it's really about political, economic, social,
- The Hong Kong pro-democracy movement.
- The U.S. has effectively abandoned the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement as the NGOs supporting that movement
- We know that on January 3rd, Taiwan's Coast Guard intercepted a Hong Kong-owned freighter after damage
- in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Reed Rubinstein, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nominations of David Perdue, of Georgia, to be Ambassador to the Peopl Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And ironically, back in the 1990s, he lived in Hong Kong and Singapore at the same time I lived in Guangzhou
- They've militarized the South China Sea. and violated their agreement in Hong Kong.
- I lived in Hong Kong, as you know, and when that was happening I made a trip to Hong Kong and actually
- We're born in Hong Kong, going from Guangzhou into Hong Kong for sometimes some R&R.
- CK Hutchins is a Hong Kong firm, I know it very well, and they have investment interest from the CCP,
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Keywords:
committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy
Summary:
The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the Panama Canal and its impact on U.S. trade and national security, focusing on fees and foreign influence. Jan 28th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, of course, since then, Hong Kong has been incorporated into the U.S.
- Everybody thought this was Hong Kong. Then it turned into China.
- That does not include this Hong Kong company, right? But that's just direct Chinese-owned ports.
- Those laws all the time, by virtue of being Hong Kong companies, and they face, of course, consequences
- A company from Hong Kong operates two ports in the Panama Canal, one on each end.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 2nd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- At a previous State Committee hearing, I sat next to Frances Hue. a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist
- Kong democracy protesters in Boston.
- I was born in Hong Kong, so I was a Hong Kong dissident.
- President Biden at that time, a lot of Hong Kong Americans, Uyghurs.
- So I was born in Hong Kong, I am a Hong Kong national, and then I made this this kind of like so-called
Bills:
HB17 , HB34 , HB41 , HB 118 , HB 119 , HB 127 , HB 128 , HB 129 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB133 , HB17 , HB41 , HB118 , HB119 , HB127 , HB128 , HB129 , HB130 , HB132 , HB133
Keywords:
foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Front works to shape the information environment in the United States in order to undermine our democracy
- And the Chinese Communist Party sees the state level in particular as the soft Underbelly of our democracy
- trying to raise concerns about persecution of religious or ethnic minorities in China or talking about Hong
- Kong and the situation there, or just trying to advocate for policies inside the United States that
- Kong and the situation there, or just trying to advocate for policies inside the United States that
Committee:
Senate Ethics and Elections
Keywords:
financial disclosure, statement of financial interests, ethics, late filing, late-filed disclosure, automatic fine, waiver, Florida Commission on Ethics, public officials, state officers, local officers, state employees, ethics enforcement, government transparency, sunshine law, reporting persons, penalty reduction, first-time offender, election ethics, general revenue fund
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In places like Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Hong Kong, Tibet, Burma, and, as I mentioned,
- <c> and</c><04:55:18.400><c> as</c><04:55:18.560><c> I</c> Korea, Hong Kong, Tibet, Burma, and as I Korea
- , Hong Kong, Tibet, Burma, and as I mentioned,<04:55:19.280><c> Iran,</c><04:55:20.080><c> NED</c><04
- </c> Core Democracy provisions in the bill. Core Democracy provisions in the bill.
- Berles: Democracy.
Keywords:
appropriations, national security, foreign aid, transparency, democracy, House Resolution 992, H.Res. 992, HR 992, rule resolution, procedural rule, Rules Committee, Committee of the Whole, previous question, motion to recommit, waiver of points of order, closed rule, structured rule, FY2026 appropriations, consolidated appropriations, federal spending
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, January 23, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
committee appointments, House of Representatives, HR21, legislative process, government structure, ethics, transparency, for-profit, board members, democracy, renewable fuels, ethanol, E15, ethanol-15, renewable fuel standard, RFS, RINs, renewable identification numbers, refinery capacity, farmers
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Jan 21, 2026, 10:00AM HST - Day 1 Opening Day
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Kong. Kong.
- Madam Speaker, democracy.
- </c> representational democracy. representational democracy.
- Kong.
- At the time, my mother was still in my grandma's belly, and my mother was born in exile in Hong Kong.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, January 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We're not a democracy; we're a republic.
- Republic<03:41:48.120><c> we're</c><03:41:48.279><c> not</c><03:41:48.399><c> a</c><03:41:48.520><c> democracy
- </c><03:41:48.960><c> we're</c><03:41:49.080><c> a</c> Republic we're not a democracy we're a Republic
- we're not a democracy we're a republic<03:41:49.880><c> we</c><03:41:50.000><c> elect</c><03:41:50.279
Bills:
HR30
Keywords:
honor, legacy, Jimmy Carter, human rights, presidential achievements, diplomacy, Georgia, Nobel Peace Prize, James Earl Carter Jr., President Carter, Rosalynn Carter, Plains Georgia, Georgia politics, House resolution, memorial resolution, tribute, condolences, bipartisan, Carter Center, democracy
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Andrew Hughes, of Texas, to be Deputy Secretary, David Woll, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, both of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Michelle Bowman, of Kansas, to be Vice Chairman for Super Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:10 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- After Communist China took over in Hong Kong in 2020, Hong Kong shifted from a trusted global financial
- In 2022 alone, Hong Kong ranked as Russia's second largest semiconductor... import partners, shipping
- Hong Kong has gone rogue. and is helping our adversaries circumvent U.S. sanctions and export controls
- Hyde, do you agree with this assessment of Hong Kong? Mr. Hurley, we'll start with you.
- Thank you. said Hong Kong, across all our legal authorities, Hong Kong will be considered part of the
Keywords:
legislation, housing affordability, financial regulation, public testimony, accountability, oversight
Summary:
The meeting involved significant discussions around key legislative proposals, primarily focusing on various bills such as HB2 and SB5. The committee examined the implications of these bills on issues like housing affordability and financial regulation. Notable members engaged in debates, providing differing perspectives on the potential economic impacts of the proposed bills. The meeting witnessed public testimony, which included a call for accountability in government actions and oversight of current financial policies. Members echoed concerns about following through on commitments to address critical issues affecting everyday Americans.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 10, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
diaper need, infant health, family well-being, basic needs, public health, childcare, September 11, terrorist attacks, education, curriculum, first responders, national security, temporary protected status, Haiti, immigration, refugees, quorum, House of Representatives, business proceeding, legislative procedure
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Front works to shape the information environment in the United States in order to undermine our democracy
- And the Chinese Communist Party sees the state level in particular as the soft underbelly of our democracy
- develop foreign agent registration acts that are merely an effort to use one of the hallmarks of our democracy
- trying to raise concerns about persecution of religious or ethnic minorities in China or talking about Hong
- Kong and the situation there, or just trying to advocate for policies inside the United States that
Committee:
Senate Ethics and Elections
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Garcia. The bill would expand state restrictions on foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including creating a state registration framework for foreign agents, banning gifts to public officials from covered foreign entities, requiring ethics training on foreign influence, tightening procurement limits for information technology and critical infrastructure, restricting sister-city/sister-state encouragement, revising linkage institute rules and tuition provisions, and criminalizing certain conduct tied to foreign governments or unauthorized enforcement of foreign law. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect election technology, software development, federal foreign-agent registration, educational exchanges, and the treatment of organizations such as CARE; the sponsor said the bill focused on ownership/control and foreign countries of concern, not specific components or general participation in events. An amendment by Senator Grall was adopted to clarify definitions, align penalties with willful violations, and specify that new ethics training content is additive. The committee then heard supportive testimony from Kelly Curry of State Armor and Rob Pierce of American Global Strategies, both of whom argued the bill would help Florida counter foreign influence, protect data and infrastructure, and improve transparency. CS for SB 1178 was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure under specified conditions, including that the filer submitted the disclosure before the maximum fine accrued and had not previously received such a waiver. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified in support, saying the bill preserves transparency and compliance goals while making the fine and appeals process more workable. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote.
Finally, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments in tabs 3 through 26. No separate votes were requested, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointees was recommended favorably to the full Senate by roll call vote. The meeting then concluded with no further business.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Front works to shape the information environment in the United States in order to undermine our democracy
- And the Chinese Communist Party sees the state level in particular as the soft underbelly of our democracy
- develop foreign agent registration acts that are merely an effort to use one of the hallmarks of our democracy
- trying to raise concerns about persecution of religious or ethnic minorities in China or talking about Hong
- Kong and the situation there, or just trying to advocate for policies inside the United States that
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act. Senator Grohl explained that the bill expands state restrictions and disclosure requirements related to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including foreign-agent registration, gift bans for public officials, ethics training, procurement limits for IT and critical infrastructure, restrictions on sister-city/sister-state affiliations, changes to linkage institutes and in-state tuition provisions, and new criminal penalties for certain offenses committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist organizations. Senator Polsky raised questions about higher education, election technology, federal FARA overlap, and whether the bill would affect candidates or events involving CARE; the sponsor responded that the bill focuses on foreign countries of concern, ownership/control, and gifts, and does not prohibit speaking at events. An amendment clarifying definitions, willful violations, and ethics-training content was adopted, and after supportive testimony from Kelly Curry and Robert Pierce, the committee reported CS for SB 1178 favorably.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure if the filing is made before the maximum fine accrues and the filer has not previously received such a waiver or accrued the maximum fine in prior years. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified that the bill supports transparency and makes the fine and appeals process more efficient, noting it was a commission recommendation. The bill was reported favorably.
Finally, the committee held confirmation hearings on appointments in Tabs 3 through 26. No senator requested separate votes on any appointee, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointments was approved and recommended favorably to the full Senate.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Emma Chinman, and I'm the Coalition Manager for Partners in Democracy.
- At Partners in Democracy, we believe that a healthy democracy is one where participation is easy.
- Democracy does not just belong to the two leading political parties; it belongs to all of us.
- My family is originally from Hong Kong, and I grew up in Randolph with my mother and sisters.
- So that kind of exclusion silences individuals, and it undermines the promise of democracy.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on several election-related bills, with most testimony focused on voting access, ballot administration, and election procedures. Senator Driscoll testified for S. 509, a Randolph home rule petition to require bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole, and Randolph officials and community members strongly supported it, saying it would improve access, confidence, and participation for Haitian Creole speakers. Other speakers, including advocates and residents, described language barriers as a form of voter suppression and urged favorable action.
Leader Donato testified on H. 822, which would remove the word “physical” from the absentee voting disability standard, and on a bill to raise the signature threshold for creating political designations and allow dormant designations to be dissolved. Senator Rausch testified on several bills, including one expanding the State Ballot Law Commission’s jurisdiction over presidential primary candidate placement and a broader elections infrastructure bill that would change registration deadlines, primary dates, reporting systems, ballot design, mail voting procedures, and voter outreach. Representative Cattelda also testified on a bill to rename the ballot title for governor’s councilor to “governor’s counselor.”
The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, through Tom Joyce and Ben Kaufman, said it supported a number of the bills and offered local election administration expertise. Former Representative Lenny Mera and Sandra Cato testified for S. 536, a bill on accountability for defective and spoiled ballots, citing a disputed 2022 Revere recount and arguing that spoiled ballots should be documented and publicly inspectable so improperly rejected ballots are not lost. Emma Chinman of Partners in Democracy supported multiple reforms, including the elections infrastructure bill and a bill allowing unenrolled voters to serve on boards of registrars. After testimony concluded, the committee accepted written testimony by email and then adjourned without taking any votes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This included equities based in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which since 2019 has lost
- In 2023, the TSP announced that it would no longer be investing in any Chinese or Hong Kong equities.
- Union, the United States. it's offered to the entire world to join into the liberal world order, the democracy
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Commission to Study Stable Tokens (10/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- -backed stable coins that I wanted to highlight, even out of Hong Kong.
- So you can even even out of Hong Kong.
- corporate and government bonds out of Hong Kong.
- </c><01:55:34.960><c> Kong</c><01:55:35.280><c> are</c> I’ll add that it’s not on the slide: Hong Kong
- </c> registered in Hong Kong to uh tokenize registered in Hong Kong to uh tokenize uh<01:55:56.639><c
Summary:
The Stable Token Study Commission held its first regular meeting, welcomed all remaining appointed members, and completed brief introductions from legislators and agency designees. The chair outlined the commission’s plan to use the first part of the enabling legislation as a “level-setting” discussion, focusing this meeting on the basics of blockchain, the current landscape for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets, and leaving blockchain-based trust for a later meeting. No votes were taken.
The main presentation came from Deanna Bario Zales of the Global Blockchain Business Council, who described stablecoins as increasingly converging toward fiat-backed or asset-backed models, with algorithmic designs viewed more cautiously. She said stablecoins are being used for payments, remittances, DeFi activity, cross-border transfers, retail use in high-inflation markets, and treasury functions, while noting risks such as peg instability, reserve transparency, counterparty and network risk, and possible capital flight from weaker banking systems. She cited growth in supply, wallet activity, and transfer volume, and said U.S.-pegged stablecoins dominate the market, with USDT and USDC leading.
Zales also discussed tokenized real-world assets, describing them as digital representations of physical assets that can enable fractional ownership, liquidity, and faster settlement. She said the market is growing quickly, with institutional participation from firms such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton, and projected continued expansion. She closed with an overview of regulatory developments, emphasizing the new U.S. stablecoin framework under the Genius Act, the proposed Clarity Act, OCC guidance, and similar regimes in the EU, UK, UAE, Singapore, Japan, and elsewhere, all of which she said are shaping compliance requirements and market development.