MEGOBARI Act

Bill Number

S. 868

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-28: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 55.

Last Updated

2025-06-24T22:01:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The MEGOBARI Act (S. 868) aims to bolster democracy and the rule of law in Georgia (the country in the Caucasus region) by addressing democratic backsliding, countering foreign influences from Russia and China, and promoting Georgia's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions like the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It expresses U.S. support for Georgian civil society and aspirations for a Western-oriented future while pressuring the Georgian government to align with democratic reforms.

Key Provisions

• Definitions: Defines terms like "appropriate congressional committees" (key Senate and House panels on foreign affairs and appropriations), "NATO," and "Secretary" (Secretary of State).
• Sense of Congress: Affirms U.S. recognition of Georgia's post-Soviet progress, highlights recent democratic erosion, criticizes the government's tilt toward Russia and China, and calls for suspending the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia upholds democratic and Euro-Atlantic commitments.
• Statement of Policy: Outlines U.S. priorities, including:
• Supporting Georgia's constitutional goals for EU and NATO membership.
• Protecting Georgia's sovereignty from Russian aggression.
• Urging inclusive reforms for EU candidacy, reevaluation of U.S. aid if Georgia shifts away from Euro-Atlantic goals.
• Combating Russian influence through sanctions and reduced trade ties.
• Promoting democratic values like fair elections, free speech, independent judiciary, and anti-corruption.
• Supporting civil society, peaceful protests, and release of political prisoners.
• Investigating the October 2024 elections for irregularities.
• Reports and Briefings:
• A classified report (due 180 days after enactment) on Russian intelligence in Georgia, including Chinese influence.
• A 5-year U.S. strategy for bilateral relations (due 90 days after enactment), assessing aid levels, civil society support, and trade commitments (unclassified with classified annex).
• Sanctions:
• Inadmissibility for Officials: Within 90 days, the President must assess Georgian parliament members, senior officials, and their family members since 2014 for corruption or blocking Euro-Atlantic integration; impose visa bans and property blocks on those found responsible.
• Sanctions for Undermining Stability: President may (or must for certain cases) block property and impose visa ineligibility on foreign persons (including leaders of entities) responsible for actions threatening Georgia's peace, security, or territorial integrity, plus their benefiting family members.
• Implementation under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, a law allowing the President to regulate international economic transactions during emergencies); includes waivers for national security, rulemaking within 120 days, and a report on broader corruption (due 180 days).
• Exceptions for humanitarian aid, intelligence activities, and UN obligations; no sanctions on goods imports.
• Termination: Sanctions end if the person stops the activity or after 5 years (sunset of the Act).
• Additional Assistance: If the President certifies Georgia's progress toward democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration, the U.S. should expand people-to-people exchanges, academic ties, and military cooperation (e.g., defense equipment against Russia).
• Sunset Clause: The Act expires 5 years after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill does not directly amend prior laws but expands executive authority under IEEPA to impose targeted sanctions on Georgian officials and foreign actors for specific behaviors like corruption or undermining democracy—behaviors not previously singled out in U.S. law for Georgia. It introduces mandatory presidential determinations and congressional briefings on sanctions, adding oversight to existing sanction mechanisms. It also conditions future U.S. aid and partnerships on Georgia's reforms, potentially altering implementation of the 2009 U.S.-Georgia Charter by recommending its suspension.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: U.S. Department of State, Defense, Intelligence Community, and USAID must produce reports, strategies, and implement sanctions, increasing administrative workload and coordination. Could lead to reevaluation of aid (Georgia is currently the second-largest U.S. recipient in Europe/Eurasia).
• Citizens: Georgian civil society and protesters may gain U.S. support for media, exchanges, and anti-corruption efforts, enhancing democratic participation. However, sanctions could limit travel and assets for targeted officials and families, indirectly affecting Georgian public sector stability.
• International Relations: Strengthens U.S. stance against Russian/Chinese influence in Georgia, potentially straining ties with Georgia's current government if it resists reforms. Supports broader NATO/EU goals by pressuring Georgia toward integration, but risks escalating U.S.-Russia tensions. If Georgia complies, it could deepen U.S.-Georgia military and trade ties, bolstering regional security against Russian aggression.

Main Stakeholders

• U.S. Government: Congress (oversight via committees), Executive Branch (President, State Department, USAID for strategy and sanctions).
• Georgian Government and Officials: Parliament members, senior leaders in law enforcement/intelligence/judiciary, and their families—subject to sanctions for anti-democratic actions.
• Georgian Civil Society: Independent media, opposition parties, and protesters—beneficiaries of U.S. support for reforms and investigations into elections.
• Foreign Actors: Russian and Chinese entities/influence operations in Georgia—targeted via reports and sanctions.
• Georgian Citizens: Broadly affected through potential aid shifts, enhanced security cooperation, and promotion of democratic rights like free assembly.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on IEEPA for sanctions, ensuring enforceability through existing penalties for violations (fines, imprisonment), but includes waivers and exceptions to avoid overreach (e.g., no impact on humanitarian aid). Mandates quick rulemaking and congressional notifications, promoting transparency without limiting broader presidential sanction powers.
• Constitutional: Aligns with U.S. foreign policy powers (President's execution of laws, Congress's oversight), but could raise due process questions if sanctions affect U.S. persons indirectly; exceptions for intelligence protect classified activities.
• Political: Signals bipartisan U.S. concern (introduced by Sens. Shaheen, Risch, Coons, Ricketts) over Georgia's direction post-2024 elections, potentially influencing global perceptions of U.S. commitment to democracy promotion. The 5-year sunset allows flexibility for evolving relations, but non-compliance could isolate Georgia from Western aid, while compliance might accelerate EU/NATO paths—highlighting U.S. leverage in countering authoritarian influences without direct military involvement.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

Cosponsors (3)

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-28: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 55.
• 2025-04-28: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
• 2025-04-28: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
• 2025-03-27: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
• 2025-03-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• 2025-03-05: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act — issued 2025-03-05 — PDF (23 pages)
• Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act — issued 2025-04-28 — PDF (24 pages)