[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.
____________________