S868-119

What This Bill Does

The MEGOBARI Act responds to democratic backsliding in Georgia by suspending high-level U.S.-Georgia strategic cooperation and authorizing targeted sanctions against Georgian officials who engage in corruption or actions that undermine Georgia's path toward European Union and NATO membership. The bill also requires intelligence assessments of Russian and Chinese influence in Georgia and mandates a strategic review of U.S. assistance to determine whether Georgia should remain the second-highest recipient of U.S. funding in the Europe and Eurasia region. If Georgia demonstrates significant progress toward democratic reform and Euro-Atlantic integration, the bill provides for enhanced military cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Who Benefits and How

Georgian civil society organizations and independent media benefit through continued and potentially increased U.S. funding and diplomatic support, even as broader government-to-government cooperation is suspended. U.S. defense contractors could see revenue opportunities if Georgia meets the democratic reform conditions, as the bill authorizes expanded military assistance including security equipment for territorial defense against Russian aggression. Agricultural exporters, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers also benefit from explicit exemptions that allow humanitarian trade to continue regardless of sanctions. Educational institutions and cultural exchange programs would benefit from enhanced people-to-people programs if Georgia makes democratic progress.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Georgian government officials and parliamentarians who served since January 2014 face mandatory sanctions determinations for corruption, violence, or blocking Euro-Atlantic integration, including asset freezes, visa revocations, and inadmissibility to the United States. Family members of these officials who benefited from corruption are also subject to sanctions. The Georgian government faces suspension of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission and potential loss of its status as a major U.S. aid recipient in the Europe and Eurasia region. U.S. financial institutions bear compliance costs from freezing assets of sanctioned persons, while U.S. government agencies including the State Department, Intelligence Community, and USAID face new reporting and strategic assessment requirements.

Key Provisions

• Suspends the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission (established in 2009) until Georgia takes measures to represent democratic wishes of its citizens and advance toward EU and NATO membership
• Requires the President to determine within 90 days whether Georgian officials have engaged in significant corruption or acts of violence/intimidation related to blocking Euro-Atlantic integration, and impose sanctions including asset freezes and visa bans on those who have
• Mandates a classified intelligence report within 180 days examining Russian intelligence penetration and Chinese influence in Georgia, including potential Russian-Chinese cooperation
• Requires a strategic assessment within 90 days to determine whether Georgia should remain the second-highest U.S. aid recipient in Europe/Eurasia and outline objectives for future bilateral relations
• Authorizes enhanced military cooperation and people-to-people exchanges if the President certifies that Georgia has shown significant and sustained progress toward reinvigorating democracy and advancing Euro-Atlantic integration
• Exempts agricultural commodities, food, medicine, medical devices, and humanitarian assistance from sanctions to protect civilian population
• Includes a 5-year sunset provision, with sanctions terminating when the President certifies the sanctioned person is no longer engaging in problematic activities or when the Act expires