The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan MEGOBARI- Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act, a landmark piece of legislation set to significantly increase the pressure on Georgian Dream and its leader Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The final vote stood at 349 in favor and 42 against, including support from 168 Republicans and 181 Democrats, with opposition coming from 34 Republicans and 8 Democrats.
The Act obliges that the U.S. President impose sanctions on “members of Georgia's ruling regime, their enablers, and family members.” It condemns the Georgian government's increasingly hostile stance toward its own civil society and key Euro-Atlantic allies, while deepening ties with the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and other anti-Western authoritarian regimes.
“The Secretary of State shall suspend the operation of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission, established under the January 9, 2009, U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, until the Government of Georgia takes credible steps to reflect the democratic will of the Georgian people and honors its constitutional commitment to pursue membership in the European Union and NATO,” the Act declares.
The Act reiterates that it is in the U.S. national interest to:
- Support Georgia’s constitutionally enshrined aspiration to join the EU and NATO, as articulated in Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution, and supported by the overwhelming majority of Georgian citizens;
- Continue strengthening Georgia’s ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders from further Russian aggression or subversion;
- Call on all political parties and elected members of the Georgian Parliament to advance the reform agenda outlined by the European Commission in a transparent and inclusive process involving opposition parties and civil society representatives — those democratically chosen by the Georgian people;
- Review U.S. relations with the Government of Georgia, including all forms of foreign and military assistance, if the government takes necessary steps to restore EU accession to its agenda and implements policies or legislation that reflect the will of the Georgian people;
- Urge all political parties, elected parliamentarians, and officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to respect freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression — including media freedom — uphold the rule of law, and foster a vibrant, inclusive civil society;
- Demand the release of all individuals detained and prosecuted on political grounds and the dropping of all politically motivated charges;
- Urge a full investigation into all allegations surrounding the October 2024 national elections to determine whether the elections can be considered illegitimate and hold accountable all those involved in manipulating the process.
No later than 180 days after enactment, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, is required to submit a classified report to the appropriate congressional committees. This report must be prepared consistent with the protection of sources and methods and assess the potential influence of elements of Russian intelligence services and assets in Georgia.
The report must include an annex analyzing Chinese influence in Georgia and intersections of potential cooperation between Russia and China within the country.
The Act also requires the executive branch to develop a strategy to support Georgia’s civil society and independent media.
Additionally, it states that the U.S. Secretary of Defense should maintain — and, where necessary, deepen — security cooperation with Georgia, including by providing appropriate security and defense equipment tailored for territorial defense against Russian aggression.
Finally, the Act concludes that if the Georgian government takes meaningful steps to return to the Euro-Atlantic agenda, including revising the “foreign agents” law, the U.S. President should pursue improved bilateral relations and enhance Georgia’s ability to defend itself against Russia and other hostile forces.
Now the legislation goes to US Senate where it already was adopted by the Foreign Relations Committee. After that, it is expect that the President of the United States will sign the Act into law.
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