A protester runs during an attempt to leave The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019 in Hong Kong. Anthony Kwan | Getty Images News | Getty Images

The U.S. Senate, in a unanimous vote, passed legislation on Tuesday aimed at protecting human rights in Hong Kong amid a crackdown on a pro-democracy protest movement that has gripped the Chinese-ruled financial center for months. Following the voice vote by senators, the "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act" now goes to the House of Representatives, which approved its own version of the measure last month. The two chambers will have to work out their differences before any legislation can be sent to President Donald Trump for his consideration. The Senate passed a second bill, also unanimously, that would ban the export of certain crowd-control munitions to Hong Kong police forces. It bans the export of items such as tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and stun guns. Under the first Senate bill, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would have to certify at least once a year that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to qualify for special U.S. trading consideration that bolsters its status as a world financial center. It also would provide for sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong.

You cannot be a great leader — and you cannot be a great country — when you oppose freedom, when you are so brutal to the people of Hong Kong, young and old, who are protesting. Sen. Chuck Schumer

There was no immediate response from the White House, which has yet to say whether Trump would approve the Hong Kong Human Rights bill. A U.S. official said recently that no decision had been made, but the unanimous Senate vote could make a veto more difficult for the Republican president. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said if the measure gets to Trump's desk there would likely be an intense debate between Trump aides worried that it could undermine trade talks with China and those who believe it is the time to take a stand against China on human rights and Hong Kong's status. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Pompeo said on Monday that the United States was gravely concerned about the deepening unrest and violence in Hong Kong and urged the city's government to address public concerns and China to honor the promises it made to maintain liberties after taking back the territory from British rule in 1997. Pompeo addressed the issue again on Tuesday while talking to reporters before leaving the United States for a NATO meeting in Brussels. "We continue to urge everyone to do this peacefully," he said. "There is a political resolution of this that is achievable, we hope that'll be the path forward."