House Approves Legislation to Enforce Sanctions on Georgia in West Asia
The new legislation comes in response to pro-democracy demonstrations following the electoral victory of the Georgian Dream Party, which maintains close ties with Russia and China.
On May 5, the House of Representatives approved a bill that seeks to impose sanctions on the Georgian Dream Party and others deemed responsible for destabilizing the Eastern European nation.
The MEGOBARI Act comes at a time when Georgia is witnessing pro-democracy protests stemming from the October 2024 parliamentary election that declared the Georgian Dream Party the winner. MEGOBARI stands for “Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence,” and also means “friend” in Georgian.
Led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party is described in the bill as increasingly antagonistic toward independent civil society and its key Euro-Atlantic allies while strengthening ties with the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and other authoritarian regimes opposed to the West.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), mandates the president to submit a report to Congress within 90 days of its enactment detailing the individuals and entities that should face sanctions. Possible penalties include visa denials and transaction restrictions.
Moreover, the legislation requires the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, to provide Congress with a report within 180 days of enactment that examines the extent of Russian intelligence activities in Georgia, including an annex that explores Chinese influence and potential Russian-Chinese cooperation in the region.
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The proposed legislation would also require the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to deliver a report to Congress within 90 days of enactment regarding the advisability of continued U.S. economic support for Georgia and recommendations for enhancing bilateral relations. The Trump administration had previously aimed to reduce USAID’s influence.
“Georgia was once a strong candidate for NATO and a crucial ally of the U.S., especially after the Russian invasion in 2008,” he stated on the House floor.
“Our nation benefited from military and intelligence collaboration, and the Georgian people are well-respected for their pro-American stance,” he continued. “Regrettably, this partnership has weakened due to the Georgian Dream Party’s actions that reflect authoritarian practices akin to Russia’s, as well as their growing closeness with China and Iran.”
Mast emphasized that “Georgia’s strategic position along the Black Sea makes it essential for national trade and serves as a counterweight to Iranian and Russian influence in the region.”
Journalist Alex Raufoglu, known for his coverage of Georgia, expressed that the House’s passage of the bill “represents a monumental triumph for the Georgian populace, for democracy in Georgia, and for the U.S.-Georgia alliance and its advocates both domestically and internationally.”
“Tonight, the people of Georgia received a clear message indicating that they have the backing of the U.S., which is vital,” he concluded.
