“What’s happening now is simply a loosening up for general merchandise,” Larry Kudlow said. “This is not a general amnesty.”

Friends of the two Canadian men currently detained in China tell Global News they can’t understand how the two might pose threats to national security.

"95 per cent of the people on this side of the aisle, at least intellectually support this amendment...A lot of them would vote for it if it came to vote, but no. We might poke the bear!" said Corker in an impassioned speech.