[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5319-S5321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3556. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Mr. Risch) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2296, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 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 F--Democracy in Georgia
SEC. 1271. SHORT TITLES.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Mobilizing and
Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability,
Resilience, and Independence Act'' or the ``MEGOBARI Act''.
SEC. 1272. 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 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Georgia.--The term ``Georgia'' means the country of
Georgia.
(3) NATO.--The term ``NATO'' means the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of State.
SEC. 1273. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the consolidation of democracy in Georgia is critical
for regional stability and United States national interests;
(2) Georgia has seen significant democratic backsliding
in recent years, as evidenced by numerous independent
assessments and measures;
(3) the current Georgian government is increasingly
hostile towards independent domestic civil society, members
of the opposition and its chief Euro-Atlantic partners while
increasingly embracing enhanced ties with the Russian
Federation, the People's Republic of China, and other anti-
Western authoritarian regimes;
(4) the United States has an interest in protecting and
securing democracy in Georgia; and
(5) the United States's decision to suspend the- United
States-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission on November
30, 2024, should remain in effect until the Government of
Georgia takes measures--
(A) to end political repressions against civil society,
media organizations and members of the opposition and fully
restore the constitutional rights of the Georgian people; and
(B) to uphold its constitutional obligation to advance
Euro-Atlantic integration.
SEC. 1274. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to support the constitutionally stated aspirations of
Georgia to become a member of the European Union and NATO,
which is made clear under Article 78 of the Constitution of
Georgia and is supported by the overwhelming majority of the
citizens of Georgia;
(2) to continue supporting the capacity of the Government
of Georgia to protect its sovereignty and territorial
integrity from further Russian aggression or encroachment
within its internationally recognized borders;
(3) to emphasize the importance of contributing to
international efforts--
(A) to combat Russian aggression, including through
restrictions 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;
(4) 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 anti-corruption efforts and to impose
swift consequences on individuals who are directly
responsible for leading or have directly and knowingly
engaged in leading actions of policies that significantly
undermine those standards;
(5) to continue to support the Georgian people and civil
society organizations that
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reflect the aspirations of the Georgian people for democracy
and a future with the people of Europe;
(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;
(7) 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;
(8) 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;
(9) to call on the Government of Georgia to thoroughly
investigate all allegations emerging from the recent national
elections, which took place on October 2024, make a
determination whether the elections should be judged as
illegitimate and hold those responsible for interference in
the elections; and
(10) 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. 1275. REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS.
(a) Report on Russian and Chinese Intelligence Assets in
Georgia.--
(1) Defined term.--In this section, the term ``relevant
congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(E) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and
the Secretary of Defense, shall submit a classified report,
as appropriate, to the relevant congressional committees that
meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (3).
(3) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (2)
shall--
(A) be prepared consistent with the protection of sources
and methods;
(B) examine the penetration of Russian and Chinese
intelligence elements and their assets in Georgia; and
(C) examine the potential intersection of Russian and
Chinese influence and cooperation in Georgia.
(b) 5-year United States Strategy for Bilateral Relations
With Georgia.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the relevant congressional committees a detailed
strategy that--
(A) outlines specific objectives for enhancing bilateral
ties which reflect the current domestic political environment
in Georgia;
(B) includes a determination of the tools, resources, and
funding that should be available to achieve the objectives
outlined pursuant to subparagraph (A) and an assessment
whether Georgia should remain a top recipient of United
States funding in the Europe and Eurasia region;
(C) includes a determination of the extent to which the
United States should continue to invest in its partnership
with Georgia;
(D) includes a plan for how the United States can
continue to support civil society and independent media
organizations in Georgia; and
(E) includes a determination 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.
(2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex.
SEC. 1276. SANCTIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(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) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means
any individual or entity that is not a United States person.
(3) 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)).
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(b) Inadmissibility of Officials of Government of Georgia
and Certain Other Individuals Involved in Blocking Euro-
Atlantic Integration.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall determine
whether each 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:
(A) 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.
(B) 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.
(C) An immediate family member of an official described
in subparagraph (A) or a person described in subparagraph (B)
who benefitted from the conduct of such official or person.
(2) Sanctions.--The President shall impose the sanctions
described in subsection (d)(2) with respect to each foreign
person with respect to which the President has made an
affirmative determination under paragraph (1).
(3) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall brief the
appropriate congressional committees with respect to--
(A) any foreign person with respect to which the
President has made an affirmative determination under
paragraph (1); and
(B) the specific facts that justify each such affirmative
determination.
(4) Waiver.--The President may waive imposition of
sanctions under this subsection, on a case-by-case basis, if
the President determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that--
(A) such waiver would serve national security interests;
or
(B) the circumstances which caused the individual to be
ineligible have sufficiently changed.
(c) Imposition of Sanctions With Respect to Undermining
Peace, Security, Stability, Sovereignty or Territorial
Integrity of Georgia.--
(1) In general.--The President may impose the sanctions
described in subsection (d)(1) and shall impose the sanctions
described in subsection (d)(2) with respect to each foreign
person the President determines, on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act--
(A) is responsible for, complicit in, or has directly or
indirectly engaged in or attempted to engage in, actions or
policies, including ordering, controlling, or otherwise
directing acts that are intended to undermine the peace,
security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of
Georgia;
(B) is or has been a leader or official of an entity that
has, or whose members have, engaged in any activity described
in subparagraph (A); or
(C) is an immediate family member of a person subject to
sanctions for conduct described in subparagraph (A) or (B)
and benefitted from the conduct of such person.
(2) Brief and written notification.--Not later than 10
days after imposing sanctions on a foreign person or persons
pursuant to this subsection, the President shall brief and
provide written notification to the appropriate congressional
committees regarding the imposition of such sanctions, which
shall describe--
(A) the foreign person or persons subject to the
imposition of such sanctions;
(B) the activity justifying the imposition of such
sanctions; and
(C) the specific sanctions imposed on such foreign person
or persons.
(3) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of
sanctions under this subsection with respect to a foreign
person for renewable periods not to exceed 180 days if, not
later than 15 days before the date on which such waiver is to
take effect, the President submits to the appropriate
congressional committees a written determination and
justification that the waiver is in the national security
interests of the United States.
(d) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are the following with respect to a foreign person
described in subsection (b) or (c), as applicable:
(1) Blocking of property.--Notwithstanding the
requirements under section 202 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701), the President shall
exercise all authorities granted under the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the
extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in
property and interests in property of the foreign 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.
(2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole.--
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(A) Visas, admission, or parole.--A foreign person that
is an alien 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.--The foreign person shall be
subject to the following:
(i) Revocation of any visa or other entry documentation
regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is
or was issued.
(ii) A revocation under clause (i) shall take effect
immediately and automatically cancel any other valid visa or
entry documentation that is in the foreign person's
possession.
(e) Implementation; Penalties.--
(1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702
and 1704) to carry out this section.
(2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to
violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of
subsection (d)(2)(A) or any regulation, license, or order
issued under that subsection shall be subject to the
penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206
of the International Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to
the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
described in subsection (a) of that section.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subtitle, or
any amendment made by this subtitle, may be construed to
limit the authority of the President to designate or sanction
persons pursuant to an applicable Executive order or
otherwise pursuant to the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(f) Rulemaking.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the President shall prescribe
such regulations as are necessary for the implementation of
this section.
(2) Notification to congress.--Not later than 10 days
before prescribing regulations pursuant to paragraph (1), the
President shall notify the appropriate congressional
committees of the proposed regulations and the provisions of
this section that the regulations are implementing.
(g) Sanctions With Respect to Broader Corruption in
Georgia.--
(1) Determination.--The President shall determine whether
there are foreign persons who, on or after the date of the
enactment of this Act, have knowingly engaged in significant
corruption in Georgia or acts that are intended to undermine
the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial
integrity of Georgia for the purposes of potential imposition
of sanctions pursuant to powers granted to the President
under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees that--
(i) identifies all foreign persons the President has
determined, pursuant to this subsection, have engaged in
significant corruption in Georgia or committed acts that are
intended to undermine the peace, security, stability,
sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Georgia;
(ii) the dates on which sanctions were imposed; and
(iii) the reasons for imposing such sanctions.
(B) Form.--The report required under subparagraph (A)
shall be provided in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
(h) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may
terminate the application of a sanction authorized under this
Act with respect to a person if the President certifies to
the appropriate congressional committees that--
(1) the person is no longer engaging in the activity that
was the basis for the sanctions or has taken significant
verifiable steps toward ceasing the activity; and
(2) the President has received reliable assurances that
the person will not knowingly engage in the sanctionable
activity described in paragraph (1) in the future.
(3) Rule of construction regarding delisting procedures
relating to sanctions authorized under other provisions of
law.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to modify
the delisting procedures used by the Department of the
Treasury with respect to sanctions authorized under any other
executive order or provision of law.
(i) Exceptions.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural
commodity'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
(B) Good.--The term ``good'' means any article, natural
or man-made substance, material, supply, or manufactured
product, including inspection and test equipment and
excluding technical data.
(C) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the
meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(D) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning
given the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(2) Exceptions.--
(A) Exception for intelligence and law enforcement
activities.--Sanctions under this section apply with respect
to activities subject to the reporting requirements under
title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091
et seq.) or to carry out or assist any authorized
intelligence or law enforcement activities of the United
States.
(B) Exception to comply with international obligations.--
Sanctions under this section shall not apply with respect to
a foreign person if admitting or paroling the person into the
United States 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.
(C) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under this
section shall not apply to--
(i) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the
provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine,
medical devices, or humanitarian assistance, or for
humanitarian purposes; or
(ii) transactions that are necessary for, or related to,
the activities described in paragraph (1).
(j) Exception Relating to Importation of Goods.--The
requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all
property and interests in property under this section shall
not include the authority or a requirement to impose
sanctions on the importation of goods.
SEC. 1277. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO GEORGIA.
(a) In General.--Upon submission to Congress of the
certification described in subsection (c)--
(1) the Secretary of State should seek to further enhance
people-to-people contacts, academic, law enforcement, and
technical assistance between the United States and Georgia;
and
(2) the President, in consultation with the Secretary of
Defense and the Secretary of State, should maintain military
co-operation with Georgia if it is in the national security
interests of the United States.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that,
after the submission of the certification described in
subsection (c), if the Government of Georgia takes steps to
realign itself with its Euro-Atlantic agenda, including
significant changes to the foreign influence law and related
laws, the end of harassment of civil society and independent
media, and the release of all political prisoners, the
President should take steps to improve the bilateral
relationship between the United States and Georgia, including
actions to bolster Georgia's ability to deter threats from
Russia and other malign actors.
(c) Certification Described.--The certification described
in this subsection is a certification submitted by the
President to the appropriate congressional committees, the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that
Georgia has shown significant and sustained progress towards
reinvigorating its democracy and advancing its Euro-Atlantic
integration.
SEC. 1278. SUNSET.
The provisions of 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.
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