[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 167 (Tuesday, October 22, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8358-H8362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GEORGIA SUPPORT ACT

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 598) to support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial 
integrity of Georgia, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 598

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Georgia 
     Support Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

[[Page H8359]]

       Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
       Sec. 2. United States policy.

                     TITLE I--ASSISTANCE PROVISIONS

       Sec. 101. United States-Georgia security assistance.
       Sec. 102. United States cybersecurity cooperation with 
           Georgia.
       Sec. 103. Enhanced assistance to combat Russian 
           disinformation and propaganda.
       Sec. 104. Sense of Congress on free trade agreement with 
           Georgia.

                     TITLE II--SANCTIONS PROVISIONS

       Sec. 201. Imposition of sanctions on persons complicit in 
           or responsible for serious human rights abuses, 
           including right to life in Georgian regions of Abkhazia 
           and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia occupied by Russia.

             TITLE III--DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS

       Sec. 301. Determination of budgetary effects.

     SEC. 2. UNITED STATES POLICY.

       It is the policy of the United States to--
       (1) support continued development of democratic values in 
     Georgia, including free and fair elections, public sector 
     transparency and accountability, the rule of law, and 
     anticorruption efforts;
       (2) support Georgia's sovereignty, independence, and 
     territorial integrity within its internationally recognized 
     borders;
       (3) support the right of the people of Georgia to freely 
     determine their future and make independent and sovereign 
     choices on foreign and security policy, including regarding 
     their country's relationship with other nations and 
     international organizations, without interference, 
     intimidation, or coercion by other countries;
       (4) support Georgia's Euro-Atlantic and European 
     integration;
       (5) not recognize territorial changes effected by force, 
     including the illegal invasions and occupations of Georgian 
     regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia by 
     the Russian Federation;
       (6) condemn ongoing detentions, kidnappings, and other 
     human rights violations committed in the Georgian regions of 
     Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia forcibly 
     occupied by the Russian Federation, including the recent 
     killings of Georgian citizens Archil Tatunashvili, Giga 
     Otkhozoria, and Davit Basharuli; and
       (7) support peaceful conflict resolution in Georgia, 
     including by urging the Russian Federation to fully implement 
     the European Union-mediated ceasefire agreement of August 12, 
     2008, and supporting the establishment of international 
     security mechanisms in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and 
     Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia and the safe and dignified 
     return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, 
     all of which are important for lasting peace and security on 
     the ground.

                     TITLE I--ASSISTANCE PROVISIONS

     SEC. 101. UNITED STATES-GEORGIA SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) In fiscal year 2018, the United States provided Georgia 
     with $2,200,000 in assistance under chapter 5 of part II of 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.; 
     relating to international military education and training) 
     and $35,000,000 in assistance under section 23 of the Arms 
     Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763; relating to the Foreign 
     Military Financing Program).
       (2) Georgia has been a longstanding NATO-aspirant country.
       (3) Georgia has contributed substantially to Euro-Atlantic 
     peace and security through participation in the International 
     Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Resolute Support 
     Missions in Afghanistan as one of the largest troop 
     contributors.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     United States assistance to Georgia under chapter 5 of part 
     II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and section 23 of 
     the Arms Export Control Act should be increased.
       (c) Statement of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the 
     United States, in consultation with Georgia, to enhance 
     Georgia's deterrence, resilience, and self-defense, including 
     through appropriate assistance to improve the capabilities of 
     Georgia's armed forces.
       (d) Review of Security Assistance to Georgia.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
     consultation with the heads of other appropriate United 
     States departments and agencies, shall submit to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report 
     reviewing United States security assistance to Georgia.
       (2) Components.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following:
       (A) A detailed review of all United States security 
     assistance to Georgia from fiscal year 2008 to the date of 
     the submission of such report.
       (B) An assessment of threats to Georgian independence, 
     sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
       (C) An assessment of Georgia's capabilities to defend 
     itself, including a five-year strategy to enhance Georgia's 
     deterrence, resilience, and self-defense capabilities.
       (3) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified 
     annex.

     SEC. 102. UNITED STATES CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION WITH 
                   GEORGIA.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of State should take the following actions, 
     commensurate with United States interests, to assist Georgia 
     to improve its cybersecurity:
       (1) Provide Georgia such support as may be necessary to 
     secure government computer networks from malicious cyber 
     intrusions, particularly such networks that defend the 
     critical infrastructure of Georgia.
       (2) Provide Georgia support in reducing reliance on Russian 
     information and communications technology.
       (3) Assist Georgia to build its capacity, expand 
     cybersecurity information sharing, and cooperate on 
     international cyberspace efforts.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate a report on United States cybersecurity cooperation 
     with Georgia. Such report shall also include information 
     relating to the following:
       (1) United States efforts to strengthen Georgia's ability 
     to prevent, mitigate, and respond to cyber incidents, 
     including through training, education, technical assistance, 
     capacity building, and cybersecurity risk management 
     strategies.
       (2) The potential for new areas of collaboration and mutual 
     assistance between the United States and Georgia to address 
     shared cyber challenges, including cybercrime, critical 
     infrastructure protection, and resilience against automated, 
     distributed threats.
       (3) NATO's efforts to help Georgia develop technical 
     capabilities to counter cyber threats.

     SEC. 103. ENHANCED ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT RUSSIAN 
                   DISINFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA.

       (a) Statement of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the 
     United States to enhance the capabilities of Georgia to 
     combat Russian disinformation and propaganda campaigns 
     intended to undermine the sovereignty and democratic 
     institutions of Georgia, while promoting the freedom of the 
     press.
       (b) Required Strategy.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
     consultation with the heads of other appropriate United 
     States departments and agencies, shall submit to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report 
     outlining a strategy to implement the policy described in 
     subsection (a).
       (2) Components.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following:
       (A) A detailed assessment of Russian disinformation and 
     propaganda efforts across all media platforms targeting 
     Georgia.
       (B) An assessment of Georgia's capabilities to deter and 
     combat such Russian efforts and to support the freedom of the 
     press.
       (C) A detailed strategy coordinated across all relevant 
     United States departments and agencies to enhance Georgia's 
     capabilities to deter and combat such Russian efforts.
       (3) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified 
     annex.

     SEC. 104. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH 
                   GEORGIA.

       It is the sense of Congress that the United States Trade 
     Representative should make progress toward negotiations with 
     Georgia to enter a bilateral free trade agreement with 
     Georgia.

                     TITLE II--SANCTIONS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 201. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON PERSONS COMPLICIT IN OR 
                   RESPONSIBLE FOR SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, 
                   INCLUDING RIGHT TO LIFE IN GEORGIAN REGIONS OF 
                   ABKHAZIA AND TSKHINVALI REGION/SOUTH OSSETIA 
                   OCCUPIED BY RUSSIA.

       (a) In General.--The President shall impose the sanctions 
     described in subsection (b) with respect to a foreign person 
     if the President determines, based on credible information, 
     that such foreign person, on or after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act--
       (1) is responsible for, complicit in, or responsible for 
     ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing the commission 
     of any serious abuse of human rights in Georgian regions of 
     Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia forcibly 
     occupied by the Russian Federation;
       (2) is knowingly materially assisting, sponsoring, or 
     providing significant financial, material, or technological 
     support for, or goods or services to, a foreign person 
     described in paragraph (1); or
       (3) is owned or controlled by a foreign person, or is 
     acting on behalf of a foreign person, described in paragraph 
     (1).
       (b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions to be imposed with 
     respect to a foreign person described in subsection (a) are 
     the following:
       (1) Asset blocking.--The President shall exercise all of 
     the powers granted by the International Emergency Economic 
     Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent necessary 
     to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and 
     interests in property of the person 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.

[[Page H8360]]

       (2) Exclusion from the united states and revocation of visa 
     or other documentation.--
       (A) Inadmissibility to the united states.--In the case of a 
     person described in subsection (a) who is an individual, such 
     person 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.--A person described in 
     subsection (a) who is an individual shall be subject to the 
     revocation of any visa or other entry documentation issued to 
     such person regardless of when the visa or other entry 
     documentation is or was issued. A revocation under this 
     subparagraph shall take effect immediately and shall 
     automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry 
     documentation that is in the person's possession.
       (C) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters 
     agreement and law enforcement objectives.--Sanctions under 
     subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an individual if 
     admitting such individual into the United States would 
     further important law enforcement objectives or is necessary 
     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.
       (c) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of 
     sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a person if 
     the President determines that such a waiver is important to 
     the national interests of the United States.
       (d) Implementation; Penalties.--
       (1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all 
     authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 
     205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
     U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out subsection (b)(1).
       (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 
     to carry out such subsection shall be subject to the 
     penalties specified in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 
     of the International Emergency 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 such section.
       (e) Exception Relating to Importation of Goods.--
       (1) In general.--The authorities and requirements to impose 
     sanctions authorized under this Act shall not include the 
     authority or requirement to impose sanctions on the 
     importation of goods.
       (2) Good defined.--In this subsection, 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.
       (f) Report Required.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act and at least once every 180 days 
     thereafter for a period not to exceed two years, the 
     President, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, shall transmit to Congress a detailed report with 
     respect to persons that have been determined to have engaged 
     in activities described in subsection (a).

             TITLE III--DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS

     SEC. 301. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of 
     Representatives, provided that such statement has been 
     submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 598.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking Mr. Connolly and Mr. 
Kinzinger for authoring this excellent bill.
  This measure comes before us at a crucial time. As President Trump 
takes a sledgehammer to our country's standing in the world, it falls 
to the Congress to uphold our relationships with our friends and 
partners. Strong alliances and partnerships make a stronger, safer 
America, and it is important for our national security to make sure 
that our friends can defend themselves against hostile adversaries. 
That is especially true for a country like Georgia, who is fighting 
President Putin's aggression every single day.
  In 2008, Russia invaded and occupied parts of Georgia, flagrantly 
breaking international law and violating Georgia's sovereignty and 
territorial integrity. And now, over a decade later, Russia hasn't let 
up the assault on Georgia. Cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, 
human rights violations--this is what the people of Georgia endure from 
Putin's regime all the time. So we must support Georgia's efforts to 
protect itself.
  The Georgia Support Act calls on the U.S. to continue to support 
Georgia's democratic institutions, territorial integrity, and 
sovereignty. It also provides critical assistance for Georgia's 
struggle against Russian aggression, supporting efforts to boost 
cybersecurity and counter Russian disinformation. And it slaps 
sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in the 
Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
  We should be strengthening our relationship with Georgia and bringing 
it into the fold of the EU and NATO. This is a good bill that moves us 
in the right direction, showing that Congress stands with Georgia. I 
strongly support this measure, and I urge all Members to join me in 
doing so.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                 Washington, DC, October 21, 2019.
     Hon. Richard E. Neal,
     Committee on Ways and Means,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Neal: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     598, the Georgia Support Act. I appreciate your willingness 
     to work cooperatively on this legislation.
       I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means under House 
     Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 598 
     to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that 
     the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does 
     not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters 
     contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I 
     will also support the appointment of Committee on Ways and 
     Means conferees during any House-Senate conference convened 
     on this legislation.
       Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your 
     cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to 
     continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the 
     legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Eliot L. Engel,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                 Washington, DC, October 21, 2019.
     Hon. Eliot L. Engel,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Engel: In recognition of the desire to 
     expedite consideration of H.R. 598, the Georgia Support Act, 
     the Committee on Ways and Means agrees to waive formal 
     consideration of the bill as to provisions that fall within 
     the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means.
       The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the 
     mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction 
     over the subject matter contained in this or similar 
     legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately 
     consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation 
     moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues 
     within our jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the 
     right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of 
     conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or 
     similar legislation.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming this understanding and would ask that a copy of 
     our exchange of letter on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 598.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Richard E. Neal,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                 Washington, DC, October 21, 2019.
     Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
     Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Nadler: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     598, the Georgia Support

[[Page H8361]]

     Act. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on 
     this legislation.
       I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary under House 
     Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 598 
     to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that 
     the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does 
     not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters 
     contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I 
     will also support the appointment of Committee on the 
     Judiciary conferees during any House-Senate conference 
     convened on this legislation.
       Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your 
     cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to 
     continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the 
     legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Eliot L. Engel,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                 Washington, DC, October 21, 2019.
     Hon. Eliot L. Engel,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Engel: This is to advise you that the 
     Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to 
     review the provisions in H.R. 598, the ``Georgia Support 
     Act'' that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate 
     your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary 
     Committee has no objection to your including them in the bill 
     for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that 
     consideration is willing to forgo action on H.R. 598, with 
     the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject 
     matters.
       In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar 
     legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the 
     right to request an appropriate number of conferees to 
     address any concerns with these or similar provisions that 
     may arise in conference.
       Please place this letter into the Congressional Record 
     during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank 
     you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked 
     regarding this matter and others between our committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Jerrold Nadler,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 598, the Georgia Support 
Act. It is legislation I introduced with my colleague, Mr. Connolly.
  Georgia has been a strong ally to the United States, and ensuring 
their territorial sovereignty is essential to European security and 
American interests.
  Since the Russian invasion in 2008, Georgia has been embroiled in a 
battle for its very right to exist due to Putin's flagrant aggression. 
For over a decade, Russia has illegally occupied the Georgian parts of 
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which constitutes 20 percent of Georgia's 
territory.
  Putin has constructed military bases, erected border fences across 
civilian farms, and restricted transit between the occupied regions and 
Georgia. The subsequent occupation has displaced thousands of ethnic 
Georgians. Those who refuse to leave their homes now face extreme human 
rights abuses. Furthermore, Russia continues to meddle in Georgia's 
political processes and seeks to sow discord and chaos among the 
population.
  Our legislation reaffirms U.S. support for Georgia's independence, 
sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as the continued 
development of democratic values in Georgia. It also pushes for an 
increase in security assistance to Georgia, greater cybersecurity 
cooperation between our nations, and an enhancement of Georgia's 
ability to combat Russian disinformation campaigns.
  Most importantly, this bill authorizes the President to impose 
sanctions on those individuals responsible for human rights abuses in 
those regions.
  Passage of this legislation is an opportunity to show support for an 
ally that has been one of the greatest contributors to the U.S. mission 
in Afghanistan and one that has endured Putin's belligerence for over a 
decade.
  By deepening U.S.-Georgia security cooperation, we send a strong 
message to Putin to think twice before interfering in Georgia again.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Connolly), the author of this important bill.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by saluting our 
distinguished chairman. Thank you so much to our chairman for bringing 
this bill to the floor and for managing it today.
  He has just returned from an arduous trip. I have been on that trip. 
I know how tiring it can be and, frankly, even the personal danger one 
puts oneself in on that trip. I salute the chairman for his stamina and 
his commitment to American foreign policy, being here on the floor 
today. So I thank him and salute him and his able staff.
  I also, of course, want to thank my co-chair of the Georgia Caucus 
and coauthor of H.R. 598, the Georgia Support Act, Mr. Kinzinger, who 
has been a wonderful partner and always willing to look at an issue 
thoughtfully and put himself sometimes at political risk in showing 
intestinal fortitude. I salute Mr. Kinzinger, too.
  This legislation asserts the United States' continued support for the 
independence and sovereignty of Georgia. It supports Georgia's 
continued democratic development, including free and fair elections, 
and affirms U.S. opposition to Russian aggression in the region, which 
is not, as has been noted, theoretical.
  Russian troops occupy Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia. Russia 
has fomented unrest, aided separatist movements, and committed serious 
human rights violations, including ongoing detentions and killings.
  Russian forces continue to harass civilian communities along the 
administrative boundary line and impede the right of the return of 
internally displaced persons, even moving that administrative boundary 
line arbitrarily.
  Just a few weeks ago, tensions flared over a reported buildup of 
military equipment and personnel near the ABL, the administrative 
boundary line, in Russian-occupied South Ossetia.
  H.R. 598 bolsters Georgia's territorial integrity by authorizing 
sanctions against those responsible for or complicit in human rights 
violations in these occupied territories.
  As chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary 
Assembly, I am very pleased that the Georgia Support Act recognizes 
that Georgia has been a longstanding NATO-aspirant country and a 
contributor to NATO's troop levels.
  I have traveled to Georgia three times in the last 3 years, including 
for the spring meeting of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly, and I believe 
that Georgia is a key partner for NATO's security. This act builds on 
previous efforts that Congress has undertaken to support Georgia's 
territorial integrity.
  In the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, 
CAATSA, P.L. 115-44, we enshrined a nonrecognition policy for Russia's 
illegal occupation of Georgian territory.
  In the 114th Congress, the House passed H.R. 660, which Judge Poe and 
I introduced, to express support for Georgia's full territorial 
integrity. The resolution was a clear and unequivocal statement in 
support of the sovereign territory of Georgia and reiterated the 
longstanding policy of the United States not to recognize territorial 
changes affected by force, as dictated by the Stimson Doctrine, going 
back to 1932, authored by then-Secretary of State Henry Stimson.
  Just as the House of Representatives passed the Crimea Annexation 
Non-recognition Act, H.R. 596, earlier this year, the Georgia Support 
Act is another clear and unequivocal statement by this Congress on the 
issue of territorial sovereignty. This act expresses Congress' support 
for the vital U.S.-Georgia partnership, which is a strategically 
important relationship in a very critical part of the world.
  I urge my colleagues to adopt this legislation.
  Again, I thank the chairman for his distinguished leadership on this 
issue, and my partner, Mr. Kinzinger.

  Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Keating), the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and chairman for 
yielding.
  Georgia has a long and rich history as an important U.S. partner and 
a key player in the region. Unfortunately, Georgia most dramatically 
came onto

[[Page H8362]]

the world stage with news in 2008 that Russia had invaded and occupied 
regions within its territory. Since that time, Russia has continued to 
illegally occupy the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
  Today, Georgia stands on the front lines of Russian aggression, along 
with Ukraine, and it is imperative that the United States assist 
Georgia in its effort to stand up against Russia--to address the 
humanitarian concerns in those areas, to fight against Russian 
disinformation, and to keep moving Georgia towards its goal of a strong 
and sovereign democracy.
  I am proud that we are here today to continue to support the 
development of democratic values as well as the sovereignty, 
independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia.

                              {time}  1715

  Georgia is a strong partner and friend to the United States, and I am 
proud that we are showing our support by moving this legislation 
forward today. I urge my colleagues to support the Georgia Support Act.
  Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  In closing, again, I want to thank Mr. Connolly for his great work on 
this. I want to thank the chairman for bringing it to the floor and for 
his friendship and for the committees in this Congress that have 
steadfast support for our Georgian allies.
  This was mentioned earlier, and it is worth re-noting, Georgia pound 
for pound has the strongest commitment to NATO and Afghanistan, and 
they are not even full NATO members. So that tells you the kind of 
people they are. They are a key strategic and democratic partner in a 
tumultuous region, and increased U.S. support is a significant step 
toward countering the global threat posed by Russia every day.
  This bill passed in the 115th Congress in a bipartisan margin 
overwhelmingly, so I urge my colleagues to support this legislation yet 
again.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for 
the purpose of closing. This is a good, strong, bipartisan bill to 
support Georgia as it fends off Russian aggression. I thank my Foreign 
Affairs Committee colleagues, Mr. Connolly and Mr. Kinzinger, for their 
work on this measure.
  If you look back at history when the Soviet Union existed, Georgia 
was part of the Soviet Union and really felt the yoke of Russian 
aggression on their necks. When the Soviet Union broke up and Russia 
tried to influence all the surrounding countries, Georgia resisted with 
good cause, because Georgia does not want to be part of a country that 
makes them subservient.
  So it really to me is so important for the United States to support 
Georgia. It is in a difficult neighborhood, right near Russia. It faces 
constant threats every day. As I and my colleagues have said, Russia is 
now occupying a large part of their territory, and it really should not 
be left to stand.
  Personally, I have said this many times, I think that the West made a 
mistake back in 2008 when Georgia tried to become part of NATO and was 
turned down. I believe that both Georgia and Ukraine should be part of 
NATO. I think that is very important. And I think that is part of the 
reason why we see such Russian aggression in both Ukraine and Georgia.
  So I hope all Members will join us in supporting the passage of this 
bill. The people of Georgia need to know that the United States 
Congress stands with them against Putin's aggression.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 598, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________