[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5989-S5991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3252. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 4638, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2025 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title XII, add the following:

Subtitle G--Supporting Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Republic of 
                                Georgia

     SEC. 1291. SHORT TITLES.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Georgian People's Act'' 
     or the ``GPA Act''.

     SEC. 1292. 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 led to--
       (A) large-scale protests in Tbilisi and around the country;
       (B) harassment and intimidation of civil society activists 
     and journalists; and
       (C) 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 law, 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. 1293. 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 law, 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

[[Page S5990]]

     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. 1294. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (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 law.--The term ``foreign agents law'' 
     means the ``On Transparency of Foreign Influence'' law, which 
     was passed by the Parliament of Georgia in May 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.

     CHAPTER 1--CONDITIONS ON ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA

                        Subchapter A--Sanctions

     SEC. 1295. DEFINITIONS.

       In this chapter:
       (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; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs 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. 1295A. 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 an estimated 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. 1295B. 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, 2014, has 
     served as a 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.--Except as provided in subsections (d) and 
     (e), 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) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall brief the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     about--
       (1) any foreign person for whom the Secretary has 
     determined has knowingly engaged in an activity described in 
     subsection (a); and
       (2) the specific facts that justify each such positive 
     determination.
       (d) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the application of 
     subsection (b) 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 for a visa have sufficiently changed.
       (e) Exception to Comply With International Obligations and 
     Law Enforcement Activities.--Subsection (b) shall not apply 
     with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling such alien 
     into the United States is necessary--
       (1) 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
       (2) to carry out or assist authorized law enforcement 
     activity in the United States.

        Subchapter B--Improving Bilateral Relations With Georgia

     SEC. 1296. UNITED STATES STRATEGY TOWARD GEORGIA.

       (a) Statement of Policy on Georgia.--It is the policy of 
     the United States--
       (1) given that the Government of Georgia has passed the 
     foreign agents law and other legislation further inhibiting 
     its ability to advance its accession into the European 
     Union--
       (A) to take into consideration these new laws when 
     formulating the United States Government's policy toward 
     Georgia; and
       (B) to 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 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 that--
       (1) outlines specific objectives for enhancing bilateral 
     ties which reflect the current domestic political environment 
     in Georgia;
       (2) determines 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) determines the extent to which the United States should 
     continue to invest in its partnership with Georgia;
       (4) explore how the United States can continue to support 
     civil society and independent media organizations in Georgia; 
     and

[[Page S5991]]

       (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. 1296A. 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 Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development and other relevant Federal 
     agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees that--
       (1) outlines all assistance provided by any United States 
     Government agency to the Government of Georgia that primarily 
     provides 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;
       (2) provides a detailed overview of each project; and
       (3) sets forth associated funding allocations, including 
     projected funding for each project.
       (b) Suspension of Projects.--Not later than 60 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     suspend all programming in Georgia carried out by the 
     Department of State 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 unless the Secretary certifies to the appropriate 
     congressional committees that such programming is in the 
     national security interests in the United States.
       (c) Reprogramming Funds.--The Secretary may reprogram any 
     amounts used for programming that is suspended pursuant to 
     subsection (b) to other initiatives taking place in other 
     countries in the Eurasia region after notifying the 
     appropriate congressional committees.

     SEC. 1296B. 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.

     CHAPTER 2--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIAN PEOPLE

     SEC. 1297. 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. 1297A. 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, $50,000,000 is 
     authorized to 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. 1297B. BRIEFING ON DISINFORMATION AND CORRUPTION IN THE 
                   REPUBLIC OF 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 
     brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding--
       (1) the 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) 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
       (3) efforts undertaken by the Government of Georgia to 
     sanction actors involved in the spread of disinformation that 
     limits its Euro-Atlantic aspirations;
       (4) 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;
       (5) policy options to assist the Government of Georgia in 
     helping protect democracy and the rule of law by punishing 
     bad actors;
       (6) efforts in Georgia designed--
       (A) to suppress a free and independent media; or
       (B) to harass and intimidate civil society;
       (7) actors responsible for--
       (A) the suppression of a free and independent media in 
     Georgia; or
       (B) harassment and intimidation of civil society in 
     Georgia;
       (8) the Secretary's 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
       (9) the Secretary's 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. 1297C. SUNSET.

       This subtitle 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.
                                 ______