(CNN) The House of Representatives sent a clear rebuke to Beijing and reaffirmed American support for pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon, as police have intensified crackdowns on protesters in the semiautonomous region in recent weeks.

Lawmakers approved the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act after demonstrators in the city of 7 million took to the streets earlier this week to urge the US Congress to approve the measure. The bill, which was seen as an uncontroversial measure because of its broad bipartisan support, passed by voice vote because a recorded vote was not requested.

"Democrats and Republicans in the House and in the Senate stand united with the people of Hong Kong," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "If America does not speak out for human rights in China because of commercial interest, then we lose all moral authority to speak out for human rights anyplace in the world."

"Today the House is proud to pass the bicameral, bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to reaffirm America's commitment to democracy," said the California Democrat.

The bill would mandate an annual review to determine whether Hong Kong's autonomy from the mainland Chinese government remains sufficient to justify the special treatment the financial hub receives under US law.

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