[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4425 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4425

  To support democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 23, 2024

  Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Risch, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. 
 Graham, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read 
        twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To support democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Titles.--This Act may be cited as the ``Georgian People's 
Act'' or the ``GPA Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Statement of policy.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
      TITLE I--CONDITIONS ON ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA

                         Subtitle A--Sanctions

Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Statement of policy.
Sec. 103. Inadmissibility of officials of Government of Georgia and 
                            certain other individuals involved in 
                            blocking Euro-Atlantic integration.
Sec. 104. Imposition of sanctions with respect to undermining peace, 
                            security, stability, sovereignty, or 
                            territorial integrity of Georgia.
Sec. 105. Sanctions with respect to broader corruption in Georgia.
Sec. 106. Exceptions.
         Subtitle B--Improving Bilateral Relations With Georgia

Sec. 111. United States strategy toward Georgia.
Sec. 112. Report on review of foreign assistance to Georgia.
Sec. 113. Sense of Congress regarding suspension of United States-
                            Georgia strategic dialogue.
Sec. 114. Defense cooperation with Georgia.
      TITLE II--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIAN PEOPLE

Sec. 201. Statement of policy in support of the Georgian people.
Sec. 202. Democracy and rule-of-law programming.
Sec. 203. Report on disinformation and corruption in Georgia.
Sec. 204. Report on political prisoners in Georgia.
Sec. 205. Sunset.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) On April 9, 1991, the Republic of Georgia declared 
        independence from the Soviet Union, and on March 24, 1992, the 
        United States and Georgia established formal diplomatic 
        relations.
            (2) Since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has 
        been reaffirmed by the international community and numerous 
        United Nations Security Council resolutions.
            (3) At the 2008 Summit in Bucharest, NATO recognized the 
        aspirations of Georgia to join NATO and committed that Georgia 
        would become a member of the Alliance.
            (4) On August 7, 2008, the Russian Federation invaded 
        Georgia and thereafter occupied 20 percent of its territory, 
        all of which it continues to occupy.
            (5) On January 9, 2009, the United States and Georgia 
        signed the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic 
        Partnership, affirming the close relationship between the 
        United States and Georgia based on the shared principles of 
        democracy, free markets, defense and security cooperation, and 
        cultural exchanges.
            (6) Georgia made significant contributions to the wars in 
        Iraq and Afghanistan and was the largest troop contributor 
        among NATO partners to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in 
        Afghanistan.
            (7) The United States and Georgia have maintained a strong 
        security partnership, including the U.S.-Georgia Security 
        Cooperation Framework, signed in November 2019, and the Georgia 
        Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative, launched in 
        October 2021.
            (8) The United States supports the sovereignty and 
        territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally 
        recognized borders and condemns the continued occupation by 
        Russia of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
            (9) The United States has continuously supported the 
        democratic wishes of the Georgian people, who have long 
        maintained their aspirations to join the European Union and 
        NATO.
            (10) During and following her tenure as United States 
        Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to Georgia between 2020 and 
        2023, Kelly Degnan has been the subject of slander and verbal 
        abuse from members of the Government of Georgia.
            (11) As recently as October 2023, reputable polling 
        indicates that 86 percent of the Georgian public support 
        Georgia becoming a member of the European Union.
            (12) Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 
        February 2022, Georgia--
                    (A) has not imposed its own sanctions on Russia; 
                and
                    (B) has increased economic ties, including 
                initiating many direct flights to and from Russia;
                    (C) has eased visa requirements for Russians 
                visiting Georgia; and
                    (D) is perceived as a conduit of Russia's sanctions 
                evasion endeavors.
            (13) Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 
        February 2022, and the subsequent rounds of international 
        sanctions placed on Russia as a result of such invasion, 
        Georgia saw its trade with Russia grow by 34 percent between 
        January and June 2023.
            (14) Georgia's geographic position as both a Black Sea 
        littoral nation and its proximity to the Caspian Sea could 
        further strengthen Georgia's economy by transporting natural 
        gas through the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Project.
            (15) In June 2022, when the Governments of Ukraine and 
        Moldova received candidate status for membership in the 
        European Union, the European Council stated it would only be 
        ready to grant Georgia candidate status once the country has 
        addressed the 12 priorities outlined by the European 
        Commission.
            (16) In December 2023, the European Union granted Georgia 
        the status of candidate country, with the understanding that 
        Georgia would act consistent with the recommendations of the 
        European Commission by continuing to advance the outlined 
        reform priorities and increasing its alignment with the 
        European Union's foreign and security policy positions.
            (17) On February 24, 2023, a foreign agents bill was 
        introduced in the Parliament of Georgia--
                    (A) to impose restrictions on civil society 
                organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and 
                independent media organizations; and
                    (B) to stigmatize such organizations as ``foreign 
                agents''.
            (18) On March 7, 2023, the Parliament of Georgia 
        accelerated the passage of that bill, which led to--
                    (A) large-scale protests that Georgian authorities 
                confronted by deploying tear gas and water cannons; and
                    (B) the withdrawal of the bill by the Parliament.
            (19) On April 15, 2024, the foreign agents bill, which was 
        renamed ``the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence'', was 
        reintroduced in the Parliament of Georgia with minor changes 
        that did not reflect the express wishes of the Georgian people, 
        which provoked--
                    (A) large-scale protests in Tbilisi and around the 
                country; and
                    (B) the ejection of opposition parliamentarians 
                from parliamentary hearings.
            (20) On April 29, 2024, former Georgian Prime Minister 
        Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is currently the Honorary Chairman of 
        the ruling Georgian Dream Party, gave a speech in which he--
                    (A) harshly attacked American and European 
                partners;
                    (B) alleged that the goal of foreign funding of 
                civil society and nongovernmental organizations in 
                Georgia is to deprive Georgia of its state sovereignty; 
                and
                    (C) promised to punish opposition political groups.
            (21) In the face of massive, nation-wide protests against 
        the foreign agents bill, Georgian authorities have, in some 
        cases, deployed disproportionate force against largely peaceful 
        protestors, including--
                    (A) reportedly attacking journalists covering the 
                protests and members of the political opposition; and
                    (B) threatening civil society leaders and family 
                members of protestors at their homes.
            (22) On May 14, 2024, the Parliament of Georgia passed the 
        foreign agents bill against the wishes of the Georgian people.
            (23) On May 21, 2024, the Venice Commission issued an 
        opinion regarding Georgia's foreign influence law in which it 
        ``strongly recommend[ed] repealing the Law in its current form, 
        as its fundamental flaws will involve significant negative 
        consequences for the freedoms of association and expression, 
        the right to privacy, the right to participate in public 
        affairs as well as the prohibition of discrimination.''.

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States--
            (1) to call on all political parties and elected Members of 
        the Parliament of Georgia to continue working on addressing the 
        reform plan outlined by the European Commission to advance 
        Georgia's recently granted candidate status, which the people 
        of Georgia have freely elected to pursue;
            (2) to call on the Government of Georgia to institute the 
        required reforms, which are to be developed through an 
        inclusive and transparent consultation process with opposition 
        parties and civil society organizations;
            (3) to express serious concern that impediments to 
        strengthening the democratic institutions and processes of 
        Georgia, including the foreign agents bill, will slow or halt 
        Georgia's progress toward achieving its Euro-Atlantic 
        aspirations, be perceived as stagnating the democratic 
        trajectory of Georgia, and result in negative domestic and 
        international consequences for the Government of Georgia;
            (4) to impose swift consequences on individuals who are 
        directly responsible for leading or have directly and knowingly 
        engaged in leading, actions or policies that significantly 
        undermine the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or 
        territorial integrity of Georgia;
            (5) to emphasize the importance of contributing to 
        international efforts--
                    (A) to combat Russian aggression, including through 
                sanctions on trade with Russia and the implementation 
                and enforcement of worldwide sanctions on Russia; and
                    (B) to reduce, rather than increase, trade ties 
                between Georgia and Russia;
            (6) to call on all political parties, elected Members of 
        the Parliament of Georgia, and officers of the Ministry of 
        Internal Affairs of Georgia to respect the freedoms of peaceful 
        assembly, association, and expression, including for the press, 
        and the rule of law, and encourage a vibrant and inclusive 
        civil society;
            (7) to call on the Government of Georgia to release all 
        persons detained or imprisoned on politically motivated grounds 
        and drop any pending charges against them;
            (8) to call on the Government of Georgia to ensure that the 
        national elections scheduled for October 2024 are free, fair, 
        and reflective of the will of the Georgian people; and
            (9) to continue impressing upon the Government of Georgia 
        that the United States is committed to sustaining and deepening 
        bilateral relations and supporting Georgia's Euro-Atlantic 
        aspirations.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
                Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
                of Representatives; and
                    (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (2) Foreign agents bill.--The term ``foreign agents bill'' 
        means the ``On Transparency of Foreign Influence'' bill, which 
        was reintroduced in the Parliament of Georgia in April 2024.
            (3) Georgia.--The term ``Georgia'' means the Republic of 
        Georgia.
            (4) NATO.--The term ``NATO'' means the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of State.

      TITLE I--CONDITIONS ON ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA

                         Subtitle A--Sanctions

SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Admission; admitted; alien.--The terms ``admission'', 
        ``admitted'', and ``alien'' have the meanings given such terms 
        in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
        1101).
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
                Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
                Affairs of the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
                of Representatives; and
                    (D) the Committee on Financial Services of the 
                House of Representatives.
            (3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means any 
        individual or entity that is not a United States person.
            (4) Immediate family members.--The term ``immediate family 
        members'' has the meaning given the term ``immediate 
        relatives'' in section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(b)(2)(A)(i)).
            (5) Knowingly.--The term ``knowingly'', with respect to 
        conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has 
        actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the 
        circumstance, or the result.
            (6) United states person.--The term ``United States 
        person'' means--
                    (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully 
                admitted for permanent residence to the United States;
                    (B) an entity organized under the laws of the 
                United States or any jurisdiction within the United 
                States, including a foreign branch of such an entity; 
                or
                    (C) any person within the United States.

SEC. 102. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    (a) In General.--It shall be the policy of the United States to 
support the constitutionally stated aspirations of Georgia to become a 
member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization, which--
            (1) is made clear under Article 78 of the Constitution of 
        Georgia; and
            (2) is supported by 86 percent of the citizens of Georgia.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) acts of blocking Euro-Atlantic integration in Georgia, 
        due to undue influence from corrupt or oligarchic forces, 
        constitute a form of corruption;
            (2) the United States should consider travel restrictions 
        or sanctions on individuals responsible for any actions 
        preventing Georgia from moving toward Euro-Atlantic 
        integration, which include acts of violence or intimidation 
        against Georgian citizens, members of civil society, and 
        members of an opposition political party;
            (3) the United States, in response to recent events in 
        Georgia, should reassess whether recent actions undertaken by 
        individuals in Georgia should result in the imposition of 
        sanctions by the United States for acts of significant 
        corruption and human rights abuses; and
            (4) the United States should consider revoking the visas of 
        nationals of Georgia and their family members who--
                    (A) live in the United States; and
                    (B) are determined to meet the criteria described 
                in section 103(a).

SEC. 103. INADMISSIBILITY OF OFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA AND 
              CERTAIN OTHER INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN BLOCKING EURO-
              ATLANTIC INTEGRATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall identify and make a 
determination as to whether any of the following foreign persons has 
knowingly engaged in significant acts of corruption, or acts of 
violence or intimidation in relation to the blocking of Euro-Atlantic 
integration in Georgia:
            (1) Any individual who, on or after January 1, 2012, has 
        served as a member of the Parliament of the Government of 
        Georgia, as a senior staff member of the Parliament of the 
        Government of Georgia, or as a current or former senior 
        official of a Georgian political party.
            (2) Any individual who is serving as an official in a 
        leadership position working on behalf of the Government of 
        Georgia, including law enforcement, intelligence, judicial, or 
        local or municipal government.
            (3) An immediate family member of an official described in 
        paragraph (1) or a person described in paragraph (2).
    (b) Current Visas Revoked.--
            (1) In general.--The visa or other entry documentation of 
        any alien described in subsection (a) is subject to immediate 
        revocation regardless of the issue date of such visa or 
        documentation.
            (2) Immediate effect.--A revocation of a visa or other 
        entry documentation of any alien pursuant to paragraph (1) 
        shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i))--
                    (A) take effect immediately; and
                    (B) cancel any other valid visa or entry 
                documentation that is in the possession of such alien.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a written report to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that--
            (1) lists any foreign person for whom the Secretary has 
        determined has knowingly engaged in an activity described in 
        subsection (a); and
            (2) a detailed justification for each such positive 
        determination.
    (d) Form.--The report required under subsection (c) shall be 
submitted in accordance with the reporting requirements outlined in 
7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related 
Appropriations Act, 2024 (division F of Public Law 118-47; 8 U.S.C. 
1182 note).
    (e) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the application of subsection 
(a) if the Secretary determines that--
            (1) such waiver would serve a compelling national interest; 
        or
            (2) the circumstances which caused the individual to be 
        ineligible have sufficiently changed.

SEC. 104. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNDERMINING PEACE, 
              SECURITY, STABILITY, SOVEREIGNTY, OR TERRITORIAL 
              INTEGRITY OF GEORGIA.

    (a) In General.--The sanctions described in subsection (b) shall be 
applied to any foreign person the President determines, on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act--
            (1) is responsible for, complicit in, or has directly or 
        indirectly engaged in or attempted to engage in, actions or 
        policies, including ordering, controlling, or otherwise 
        directing acts that are intended to undermine the peace, 
        security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of 
        Georgia;
            (2) is or has been a leader or official of an entity that 
        has, or whose members have, engaged in any activity described 
        in paragraph (1); or
            (3) is an immediate family member of a person subject to 
        sanctions for conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2) who 
        benefitted from such conduct.
    (b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this 
subsection are the following:
            (1) Blocking of property.--Notwithstanding the requirements 
        under section 202 of the International Emergency Economic 
        Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701), the President shall exercise all 
        authorities granted under the International Emergency Economic 
        Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent necessary to 
        block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests 
        in property of a foreign person subject to subsection (a) if 
        such property and interests in property are in the United 
        States, come within the United States, or are or come within 
        the possession or control of a United States person.
            (2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole.--
                    (A) Visas, admission, or parole.--An alien 
                described in subsection (a) shall be--
                            (i) inadmissible to the United States;
                            (ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other 
                        documentation to enter the United States; and
                            (iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted 
                        or paroled into the United States or to receive 
                        any other benefit under the Immigration and 
                        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
                    (B) Current visas revoked.--
                            (i) In general.--The visa or other entry 
                        documentation of any alien described in 
                        subsection (a) is subject to revocation 
                        regardless of the issue date of the visa or 
                        other entry documentation.
                            (ii) Immediate effect.--A revocation under 
                        clause (i) shall, in accordance with section 
                        221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
                        (8 U.S.C. 1201(i))--
                                    (I) take effect immediately; and
                                    (II) cancel any other valid visa or 
                                entry documentation that is in the 
                                possession of the alien.
    (c) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of sanctions 
under this section with respect to a foreign person for renewable 
periods not to exceed 180 days if, not later than 15 days before the 
date on which such waiver is to take effect, the President submits to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a written determination and 
justification that the waiver is in the national security interests of 
the United States.
    (d) Implementation; Penalties.--
            (1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all 
        authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the 
        International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 
        1704) to carry out this section.
            (2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to 
        violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of 
        subsection (b)(1) or any regulation, license, or order issued 
        under that subsection shall be subject to the penalties set 
        forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the 
        International Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same 
        extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in 
        subsection (a) of that section.
            (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this Act, or in any 
        amendment made by this Act, may be construed to limit the 
        authority of the President to designate or sanction persons 
        pursuant to an applicable Executive order or otherwise pursuant 
        to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
        1701 et seq.).
    (e) Rulemaking.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the President shall prescribe such 
        regulations as are necessary for the implementation of this 
        section.
            (2) Notification to congress.--Not later than 10 days 
        before prescribing regulations pursuant to paragraph (1), the 
        President shall notify the appropriate committees of Congress 
        of the proposed regulations and the provisions of this section 
        that the regulations are implementing.
    (f) Termination of Sanctions.--Any sanctions imposed on a foreign 
person pursuant to this section shall terminate on the earlier of--
            (1) the date on which the President certifies to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress that the conditions 
        requiring such sanctions no longer apply; or
            (2) December 31, 2029.
    (g) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective on December 
31, 2029.

SEC. 105. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO BROADER CORRUPTION IN GEORGIA.

    (a) Determination and Report Required.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes--
                    (A) a list of all foreign persons about whom the 
                Secretary has made a positive determination pursuant to 
                section 103(a); and
                    (B) a determination as to whether any foreign 
                person on the list described in subparagraph (A) 
                qualifies under existing sanctions authorities 
                described in subsection (b).
            (2) Form of report.--The report required under paragraph 
        (1) shall be provided in unclassified form, but a classified 
        annex may be provided separately containing additional 
        contextual information pertaining to the justification for the 
        issuance of any waiver, as described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii).
    (b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this 
subsection are sanctions applicable with respect to a person for acts 
of significant corruption, involvement in human rights abuses, or 
harmful foreign activities in Georgia under--
            (1) Executive Order 14024 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 
        blocking property of certain persons with respect to specified 
        harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian 
        Federation); or
            (2) Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 
        blocking the property of persons involved in serious human 
        rights abuse or corruption).
    (c) Congressional Oversight.--Not later than 120 days after 
receiving a request from the chairman and ranking member of the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate or of the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives with respect to whether 
a foreign person meets meet the criteria for the imposition of 
sanctions described in subsection (b), the President shall--
            (1) determine if the person meets such criteria; and
            (2) submit a written justification to such chairman and 
        ranking member detailing whether the President imposed or 
        intends to impose sanctions described in this section with 
        respect to such person.

SEC. 106. EXCEPTIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural 
        commodity'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of 
        the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
            (2) Good.--The term ``good'' means any article, natural or 
        man-made substance, material, supply, or manufactured product, 
        including inspection and test equipment and excluding technical 
        data.
            (3) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the 
        meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the Federal 
        Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
            (4) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning given 
        the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
        Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
    (b) Exceptions.--
            (1) Exception relating to intelligence activities.--
        Sanctions under this Act shall not apply to--
                    (A) any activity subject to the reporting 
                requirements under title V of the National Security Act 
                of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.); or
                    (B) any authorized intelligence activities of the 
                United States.
            (2) Exception to comply with international obligations and 
        law enforcement activities.--Sanctions under this Act shall not 
        apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling such 
        alien into the United States is necessary--
                    (A) to permit the United States to comply with the 
                Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United 
                Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and 
                entered into force November 21, 1947, between the 
                United Nations and the United States, or other 
                applicable international obligations of the United 
                States; or
                    (B) to carry out or assist authorized law 
                enforcement activity in the United States.
            (3) Exception relating to importation of goods.--The 
        requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all 
        property and interests in property under this Act shall not 
        include the authority or a requirement to impose sanctions on 
        the importation of goods.
            (4) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under this Act 
        shall not apply to--
                    (A) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction 
                for the provision of agricultural commodities, food, 
                medicine, medical devices, or humanitarian assistance, 
                or for humanitarian purposes; or
                    (B) transactions that are necessary for, or related 
                to, the activities described in subparagraph (A).

         Subtitle B--Improving Bilateral Relations With Georgia

SEC. 111. UNITED STATES STRATEGY TOWARD GEORGIA.

    (a) Statement of Policy on Georgia.--It is the policy of the United 
States--
            (1) to express that if the Government of Georgia proceeds 
        to pass the foreign agents law and other legislation further 
        inhibiting its ability to advance its accession into the 
        European Union--
                    (A) the United States Government's policy toward 
                Georgia should take into consideration these updated 
                circumstances; and
                    (B) the United States should review all forms of 
                foreign and security assistance made available to the 
                Government of Georgia; and
            (2) to reevaluate its policy toward the Government of 
        Georgia if the Government of Georgia takes the required steps--
                    (A) to reorient itself toward its European Union 
                accession agenda; and
                    (B) to advance policy or legislation reflecting the 
                express wishes of the Georgian people.
    (b) 5-Year United States Strategy for Bilateral Relations With 
Georgia.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development, in coordination with the 
heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed strategy which 
shall--
            (1) outline specific objectives for enhancing bilateral 
        ties which reflect the current domestic political environment 
        in Georgia;
            (2) determine what tools, resources, and funding should be 
        available and assess whether Georgia should remain the second-
        highest recipient of United States funding in the Europe and 
        Eurasia region;
            (3) determine the extent to which the United States should 
        continue to invest in its defense partnership with Georgia;
            (4) explore how the United States can continue to support 
        civil society and independent media organizations in Georgia; 
        and
            (5) determine whether the Government of Georgia remains 
        committed to expanding trade ties with the United States and 
        Europe and whether the United States Government should continue 
        to invest in Georgian projects.

SEC. 112. REPORT ON REVIEW OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO GEORGIA.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the USAID 
Administrator and other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit a 
report to the appropriate congressional committees that outlines all 
assistance provided by any United States Government agency to the 
Government of Georgia that are not explicitly focused on democracy or 
rule of law and shall include--
            (1) a detailed overview of each project; and
            (2) associated funding allocations, including projected 
        funding for each project.
    (b) Suspension of Projects.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
on which the report required under subsection (a) is submitted, the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) suspend all projects in Georgia carried out by the 
        Department of State or other United States Government agencies 
        that primarily provide material aid, reputational advantage, or 
        sustenance to state actors, officials, or their proxies who 
        undermine the democracy of Georgia and enable Russian 
        aggression within and outside of Georgia; and
            (2) consult with the appropriate congressional committees 
        before any programming actions are taken in response to such 
        review.
    (c) Use of Funds.--
            (1) Reprogramming.--The Secretary may reprogram any amounts 
        that cannot be absorbed to support democracy and rule-of-law 
        initiatives in Georgia to other initiatives taking place in 
        other countries in the Europe and Eurasia region after 
        notifying the appropriate congressional committees.
            (2) Limitation.--No amounts appropriated or otherwise made 
        available by the Act entitled ``An Act Making emergency 
        supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending 
        September 30, 2024, and for other purposes'', approved April 
        24, 2024 (Public Law 118-50) may be obligated or expended for 
        any assistance to Georgia unless the Secretary certifies to the 
        appropriate congressional committees that--
                    (A) such obligation or expenditure is in the vital 
                national security interest of the United States; or
                    (B) the Government of Georgia is taking measures--
                            (i) to represent the democratic wishes of 
                        the citizens of Georgia; and
                            (ii) to uphold its constitutional 
                        obligation to advance membership in the 
                        European Union and NATO.

SEC. 113. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SUSPENSION OF UNITED STATES-
              GEORGIA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should suspend the 
United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission, established 
through the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership on 
January 9, 2009, until after the Government of Georgia takes measures--
            (1) to represent the democratic wishes of the citizens of 
        Georgia; and
            (2) to uphold its constitutional obligation to advance the 
        country towards membership in the European Union and NATO.

SEC. 114. DEFENSE COOPERATION WITH GEORGIA.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United 
States--
            (1) is proud of the strong defense relationship between the 
        United States and Georgia, which was--
                    (A) cemented in 2002 through a Defense Cooperation 
                Agreement; and
                    (B) further enhanced in October 2021 by the Georgia 
                Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative.
            (2) is grateful to the Georgian Defense forces for their 
        contributions to international peacekeeping missions, 
        including--
                    (A) the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission;
                    (B) the European Union Military Operation in the 
                Central African Republic; and
                    (C) its deployment of forces in support of United 
                States forces in Iraq from 2006 to 2008;
            (3) is grateful to the Georgian Ministry of Defense's 
        contributions toward the NATO-led International Security 
        Assistance Force (referred to in this section as the ``ISAF'') 
        in Afghanistan, whereby--
                    (A) Georgia was one of the largest contributors of 
                troops per capita for a non-NATO country; and
                    (B) 32 Georgian soldiers died and 280 Georgian 
                soldiers were wounded in support of the ISAF mission; 
                and
            (4) should, to the extent possible, sustain strong ties 
        between the United States military and the Georgian Ministry of 
        Defense.
    (b) Defense Review.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct a defense 
review to determine whether the United States, in response to recent 
political developments in Georgia, should continue to support the 
military needs of Georgia.

      TITLE II--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIAN PEOPLE

SEC. 201. STATEMENT OF POLICY IN SUPPORT OF THE GEORGIAN PEOPLE.

    It is the policy of the United States--
            (1) to continue supporting the ongoing development of 
        democratic values in Georgia, including free and fair 
        elections, freedom of association, an independent and 
        accountable judiciary, an independent media, public-sector 
        transparency and accountability, the rule of law, countering 
        malign influence, and anticorruption efforts;
            (2) to support the sovereignty, independence, and 
        territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally 
        recognized borders;
            (3) to continue to support the Georgian people and civil 
        society organizations that reflect the aspirations of the 
        Georgian people for democracy and a future with the people of 
        Europe;
            (4) to continue supporting the capacity of the Government 
        of Georgia to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity 
        from further Russian aggression or encroachment;
            (5) to support domestic and international efforts, 
        including polling, pre-election and election-day observation 
        efforts, to support the execution of free and fair elections in 
        Georgia in October 2024;
            (6) to continue supporting the right of the Georgian people 
        to freely engage in peaceful protest, determine their future, 
        and make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and 
        security policy, including regarding Georgia's relationship 
        with other countries and international organizations, without 
        interference, intimidation, or coercion by other countries or 
        those acting on their behalf; and
            (7) to underscore the unwavering bipartisan support from 
        Congress in supporting the democratic aspirations of the 
        Georgian people.

SEC. 202. DEMOCRACY AND RULE-OF-LAW PROGRAMMING.

    (a) Statement of Policy Regarding Effect of National Elections in 
Georgia.--It is the policy of the United States to undertake efforts, 
in partnership with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human 
Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to 
ensure that the national elections in Georgia that are scheduled to be 
held in October 2024 are conducted in a manner that is free, fair, and 
reflective of the will of the Georgian people and show evidence of a 
broader and sustainable democratic trajectory.
    (b) Funding.--From the amounts appropriated to the Assistance for 
Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia account under the Department of State, 
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, or 
under the comparable appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025, not less 
than $50,000,000 shall be made available--
            (1) to strengthen democracy and civil society in Georgia, 
        including for transparency, independent media, rule of law, 
        anti-corruption efforts, countering malign influence, and good 
        governance initiatives; and
            (2) to support the Georgian people's efforts to advance 
        their aspirations for membership in the European Union and 
        Euro-Atlantic integration.
    (c) Review of Support.--In response to the passage of the foreign 
agents law, the Secretary and the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development shall undertake a review of 
efforts to determine--
            (1) how best to continue providing support to civil society 
        and independent media organizations in Georgia; and
            (2) whether additional funds should be allocated to the 
        National Endowment for Democracy for initiatives in Georgia.

SEC. 203. REPORT ON DISINFORMATION AND CORRUPTION IN GEORGIA.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with such 
agencies as the Secretary considers relevant, shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report that includes--
            (1) an assessment of efforts within and outside of Georgia 
        to spread disinformation within Georgia to mischaracterize or 
        undermine the bilateral relationships between the United States 
        and Georgia and the European Union and Georgia;
            (2) a list of--
                    (A) sources that have played an active role in 
                advancing disinformation campaigns to erode public 
                support for the United States, the European Union, and 
                NATO within Georgia; and
                    (B) efforts undertaken by the Government of Georgia 
                to sanction actors involved in the spread of 
                disinformation that limits its Euro-Atlantic 
                aspirations;
            (3) an assessment of the extent to which corrupt actors are 
        undermining the ability of political parties and democratic 
        institutions in Georgia to uphold and adhere to the principles 
        of transparency and good governance;
            (4) a list of policy options to assist the Government of 
        Georgia in helping protect democracy and the rule of law by 
        punishing bad actors;
            (5) an overview of efforts in Georgia designed--
                    (A) to suppress a free and independent media; or
                    (B) to harass and intimidate civil society;
            (6) a list of actors responsible for--
                    (A) the suppression of a free and independent media 
                in Georgia; or
                    (B) harassment and intimidation of civil society in 
                Georgia;
            (7) an assessment of--
                    (A) the Russian Federation's influence and 
                information operations in Georgia; and
                    (B) connections between the influence and 
                operations described in subparagraph (A) and the 
                broader agenda of the Russian Federation in the region; 
                and
            (8) an assessment of--
                    (A) the People's Republic of China's influence and 
                information operations in Georgia; and
                    (B) connections between the influence and 
                operations described in subparagraph (A) and the 
                broader agenda of the People's Republic of China in the 
                region.
    (b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex.

SEC. 204. REPORT ON POLITICAL PRISONERS IN GEORGIA.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with relevant 
Federal agencies, as determined by the Secretary, shall submit a report 
to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representativesa that includes--
            (1) a list of prisoners within the Georgian prison system 
        that the Department of State considers to be imprisoned for 
        political reasons or otherwise wrongfully detained, especially 
        those who have been detained since March 2024; and
            (2) a description of efforts to work with Georgian 
        authorities to advocate for the release of such prisoners.
    (b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form.

SEC. 205. SUNSET.

    This Act, except for section 104, shall cease to have any force or 
effect beginning on the date that is 5 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
                                 <all>