Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the House-passed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,” said:  “the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) forced removal of four duly elected pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong’s Legislative Council is outrageous, unjustified and absolutely dishonorable and tells the world that human rights and the rule of law are a cruel joke under the dictatorship of Xi Jinping.”

Smith continued, “Today’s mass resignation of all the remaining pro-democracy lawmakers to protest Beijing’s iron fist policies toward Hong Kong and the lawmakers deserves the deepest respect, support and admiration of everyone who cherishes freedom. The entire free world—not just a few nations like the United States—must sanction Beijing and hold the CCP to account.”