The "Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act," or MEGOBARI Act, seeks to counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian Regime, and the Russian Federation in Georgia. It establishes a U.S. policy to support Georgia's constitutional aspirations for membership in the European Union and NATO, and to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity from Russian aggression. The bill expresses concern over recent democratic backsliding in Georgia and its increasing ties with anti-Western authoritarian regimes. The Act states that the U.S. will reevaluate its relationship and review all forms of foreign and security assistance to the Government of Georgia if it fails to reorient itself toward its European Union accession agenda and advance policies reflecting the Georgian people's wishes. It calls on Georgian political parties to address the European Commission's reform plan and emphasizes the importance of supporting democratic values, including free elections, an independent judiciary, and media freedom. The bill also urges the release of politically motivated detainees and thorough investigations into election allegations. A key provision of the bill involves imposing sanctions on foreign persons, including current or former Georgian officials and their immediate family members, who have knowingly engaged in significant acts of corruption, violence, or intimidation related to blocking Euro-Atlantic integration. These sanctions include inadmissibility to the U.S. and revocation of visas. The President may also impose sanctions, including asset blocking, on individuals undermining Georgia's peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity. Furthermore, the Act requires reports on Russian intelligence assets and Chinese influence in Georgia, as well as a five-year U.S. strategy for bilateral relations. Should Georgia demonstrate significant and sustained progress in reinvigorating its democracy and advancing Euro-Atlantic integration, the bill encourages enhanced people-to-people contacts, academic exchanges, and expanded military cooperation to bolster Georgia's defense against Russian threats. The Act is set to sunset five years after its enactment.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1823-1828: 1)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 36.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1840-1841: 1)
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)
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1823-1828: 1)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 36.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1840-1841: 1)
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)
AlliancesAsiaBooks and print mediaChinaCivil actions and liabilityCollective securityCongressional oversightCriminal procedure and sentencingDetention of personsDigital mediaElections, voting, political campaign regulationEuropeEuropean UnionFederal officialsForeign propertyGeorgia (Republic)Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionHuman rightsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationIranPolitical parties and affiliationPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentRule of law and government transparencyRussiaSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusVisas and passports
MEGOBARI Act
USA119th CongressHR-36| House
| Updated: 5/6/2025
The "Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act," or MEGOBARI Act, seeks to counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian Regime, and the Russian Federation in Georgia. It establishes a U.S. policy to support Georgia's constitutional aspirations for membership in the European Union and NATO, and to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity from Russian aggression. The bill expresses concern over recent democratic backsliding in Georgia and its increasing ties with anti-Western authoritarian regimes. The Act states that the U.S. will reevaluate its relationship and review all forms of foreign and security assistance to the Government of Georgia if it fails to reorient itself toward its European Union accession agenda and advance policies reflecting the Georgian people's wishes. It calls on Georgian political parties to address the European Commission's reform plan and emphasizes the importance of supporting democratic values, including free elections, an independent judiciary, and media freedom. The bill also urges the release of politically motivated detainees and thorough investigations into election allegations. A key provision of the bill involves imposing sanctions on foreign persons, including current or former Georgian officials and their immediate family members, who have knowingly engaged in significant acts of corruption, violence, or intimidation related to blocking Euro-Atlantic integration. These sanctions include inadmissibility to the U.S. and revocation of visas. The President may also impose sanctions, including asset blocking, on individuals undermining Georgia's peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity. Furthermore, the Act requires reports on Russian intelligence assets and Chinese influence in Georgia, as well as a five-year U.S. strategy for bilateral relations. Should Georgia demonstrate significant and sustained progress in reinvigorating its democracy and advancing Euro-Atlantic integration, the bill encourages enhanced people-to-people contacts, academic exchanges, and expanded military cooperation to bolster Georgia's defense against Russian threats. The Act is set to sunset five years after its enactment.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1823-1828: 1)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 36.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1840-1841: 1)
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)
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1823-1828: 1)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 36.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1840-1841: 1)
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)
AlliancesAsiaBooks and print mediaChinaCivil actions and liabilityCollective securityCongressional oversightCriminal procedure and sentencingDetention of personsDigital mediaElections, voting, political campaign regulationEuropeEuropean UnionFederal officialsForeign propertyGeorgia (Republic)Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionHuman rightsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationIranPolitical parties and affiliationPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentRule of law and government transparencyRussiaSanctionsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusVisas and passports