The "Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act," or MEGOBARI Act, seeks to bolster democracy and the rule of law in Georgia. Congress expresses concern over Georgia's recent democratic backsliding, its increasing embrace of ties with Russia and China, and its growing hostility towards independent civil society and Euro-Atlantic partners. The United States maintains a strong interest in safeguarding Georgia's democracy and its aspirations for integration with the European Union and NATO. The bill establishes a U.S. policy to support Georgia's constitutional goal of EU and NATO membership and to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity from Russian aggression. It urges Georgia's political parties to address the European Commission's reform plan transparently and inclusively, involving opposition and civil society. The United States will reevaluate its relationship and foreign assistance to Georgia if the government takes steps to reorient itself towards its Euro-Atlantic agenda and reflects the will of the Georgian people. Furthermore, the Act emphasizes the importance of contributing to international efforts against Russian aggression and reducing Georgia's trade ties with Russia. It commits the U.S. to supporting democratic values in Georgia, including free elections, an independent judiciary, and anti-corruption efforts, with swift consequences for those who undermine these standards. The bill also calls on the Georgian government to release politically motivated detainees and thoroughly investigate allegations from the recent national elections. To enhance oversight, the Act mandates a classified report on the penetration of Russian intelligence and Chinese influence in Georgia. It also requires a 5-year U.S. strategy for bilateral relations, assessing current ties, future investment, and continued support for civil society and independent media organizations in Georgia. A key provision of the Act authorizes sanctions against foreign persons, including Georgian officials and their immediate family members, who have knowingly engaged in significant corruption, violence, or intimidation related to blocking Euro-Atlantic integration. Sanctions may also be imposed on those undermining Georgia's peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity. These sanctions include inadmissibility to the United States and the blocking of property and interests in property. Additional U.S. assistance, such as enhanced people-to-people contacts, academic exchanges, and expanded military cooperation, including defensive equipment and training, is made conditional. This support will be provided only upon the President's certification that Georgia has demonstrated significant and sustained progress in reinvigorating its democracy and advancing its Euro-Atlantic integration. The Act is set to sunset five years after its enactment.
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 CongressS-868| Senate
| Updated: 4/28/2025
The "Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act," or MEGOBARI Act, seeks to bolster democracy and the rule of law in Georgia. Congress expresses concern over Georgia's recent democratic backsliding, its increasing embrace of ties with Russia and China, and its growing hostility towards independent civil society and Euro-Atlantic partners. The United States maintains a strong interest in safeguarding Georgia's democracy and its aspirations for integration with the European Union and NATO. The bill establishes a U.S. policy to support Georgia's constitutional goal of EU and NATO membership and to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity from Russian aggression. It urges Georgia's political parties to address the European Commission's reform plan transparently and inclusively, involving opposition and civil society. The United States will reevaluate its relationship and foreign assistance to Georgia if the government takes steps to reorient itself towards its Euro-Atlantic agenda and reflects the will of the Georgian people. Furthermore, the Act emphasizes the importance of contributing to international efforts against Russian aggression and reducing Georgia's trade ties with Russia. It commits the U.S. to supporting democratic values in Georgia, including free elections, an independent judiciary, and anti-corruption efforts, with swift consequences for those who undermine these standards. The bill also calls on the Georgian government to release politically motivated detainees and thoroughly investigate allegations from the recent national elections. To enhance oversight, the Act mandates a classified report on the penetration of Russian intelligence and Chinese influence in Georgia. It also requires a 5-year U.S. strategy for bilateral relations, assessing current ties, future investment, and continued support for civil society and independent media organizations in Georgia. A key provision of the Act authorizes sanctions against foreign persons, including Georgian officials and their immediate family members, who have knowingly engaged in significant corruption, violence, or intimidation related to blocking Euro-Atlantic integration. Sanctions may also be imposed on those undermining Georgia's peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity. These sanctions include inadmissibility to the United States and the blocking of property and interests in property. Additional U.S. assistance, such as enhanced people-to-people contacts, academic exchanges, and expanded military cooperation, including defensive equipment and training, is made conditional. This support will be provided only upon the President's certification that Georgia has demonstrated significant and sustained progress in reinvigorating its democracy and advancing its Euro-Atlantic integration. The Act is set to sunset five years after its enactment.
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