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HR 36 · 119th CongressPassed Chamber
MEGOBARI Act
Latest updateMay 5, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 42 (Roll no. 116). (text: CR H1824-1826)
International Affairs
Sponsor
Joe Wilson
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
May 6, 2025
Legislative Progress
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Latest Action
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 70.
Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedThe United States has long supported Georgia's democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration following the country's independence from the Soviet Union. However, in recent years, Georgia has experienced significant democratic backsliding, including restrictions on civil society, independent media, and opposition parties. Simultaneously, the Georgian government has strengthened ties with Russia, China, and other authoritarian regimes while distancing itself from Western partners. The U.S. government has expressed concern that these trends undermine regional stability and contradict Georgia's constitutional commitment to European Union and NATO membership, which enjoys overwhelming public support among Georgian citizens.
The MEGOBARI Act directs the Secretary of State to suspend the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until the Georgian government demonstrates renewed commitment to democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration. The bill requires the State Department, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, to submit a classified report within 180 days examining Russian intelligence penetration in Georgia, including Chinese influence and potential Russian-Chinese cooperation. Additionally, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development must develop a comprehensive five-year strategy within 90 days outlining U.S. bilateral objectives, assessing Georgia's continued status as a top regional aid recipient, and evaluating whether to maintain current investment levels in Georgian projects and civil society support.
The strategy will guide future U.S. assistance decisions and diplomatic engagement with Georgia. Implementation begins immediately upon enactment, with intelligence assessments and strategic planning completed within the specified timeframes. The bill does not specify new funding but directs agencies to evaluate existing assistance levels and determine whether current resource allocations remain appropriate given Georgia's political trajectory. These actions may influence Georgia's foreign policy orientation, affect bilateral trade and security cooperation, and signal U.S. commitment to supporting democratic governance and civil society in the region, potentially affecting other countries' calculations regarding Western engagement in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.
Key Provisions
- 1Directs the Secretary of State to suspend the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until the Georgian government demonstrates commitment to democracy and constitutional obligations toward European Union and NATO membership.
- 2Requires the Secretary of State, Director of National Intelligence, and Secretary of Defense to submit a classified report within 180 days examining Russian intelligence assets and Chinese influence in Georgia, including potential Russian-Chinese cooperation.
- 3Directs the Secretary of State and Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to develop a detailed five-year strategy within 90 days assessing U.S. bilateral objectives, evaluating Georgia's aid recipient status, and determining appropriate investment levels in Georgian projects and civil society organizations.
- 4Establishes as U.S. policy the support for Georgia's constitutional aspirations toward European Union and NATO membership while calling for investigation of alleged election interference and release of politically detained persons.
- 5Directs the State Department to review all forms of foreign and security assistance to Georgia and impose consequences on individuals responsible for undermining democratic standards, independent media, and the rule of law.
★ Why this matters
The bill creates mechanisms to reassess U.S. engagement with Georgia based on democratic performance, potentially redirecting aid and suspending high-level diplomatic forums. This signals consequences for democratic backsliding and may influence Georgia's policy choices regarding authoritarian partnerships. The required intelligence assessments and strategic review will inform future U.S. resource allocation and diplomatic priorities in the South Caucasus region.
● Who this affects
The Georgian government and its officials face potential suspension of diplomatic engagement and review of security assistance. Georgian civil society organizations and independent media outlets may benefit from continued or redirected U.S. support. The Department of State, United States Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, and intelligence agencies must conduct assessments and develop new strategic frameworks. Regional actors including Russia, China, and European Union institutions will observe shifts in U.S. commitment to Georgia's democratic and Euro-Atlantic trajectory.
Bill Text
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<DOC>
Calendar No. 70
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 36
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 6, 2025
Received; read twice and placed on the calendar
AN ACT
To counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian
Regime, and the Russian Federation in the nation of Georgia.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's
Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act''
or the ``MEGOBARI Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) NATO.--The term ``NATO'' means the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the progress made by the people of Georgia in forging
an innovative and productive society since the country's
independence from the Soviet Union should be applauded;
(2) the consolidation of democracy in Georgia is critical
for regional stability and United States national interests;
(3) Georgia has seen significant democratic backsliding in
recent years, as evidenced by numerous independent assessments
and measures;
(4) the current Georgian government is increasingly hostile
towards independent domestic civil society and its chief Euro-
Atlantic partners while increasingly embracing enhanced ties
with the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China,
and other anti-Western authoritarian regimes;
(5) the United States has an interest in protecting and
securing democracy in Georgia; and
(6) the Secretary should suspend the United States-Georgia
Strategic Partnership Commission, established through the
United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership on
January 9, 2009, until after the Government of Georgia takes
measures--
(A) to represent the democratic wishes of the
citizens of Georgia; and
(B) to uphold its con…