The co-authors, Senators Jeanne Shaheen of NH and Jim Risch of ID, announced on October 22 that 10 additional Senators will co-sponsor a bipartisan U.S. Georgian People‘s Act.
These 10 senators include: Thom Tillis, Mitt Romney, Jeff Merkley, John Cornyn, Chris Murphy and George Helmy. They have asked to join the bill at the Senate’s November reconvening.
“I’m happy that a number my Senate colleagues have recognized the urgency of the Georgian People’s Act and have agreed to sponsor it in the U.S. Senate,” stated Senator Shaheen.
Senator Risch said, “This bill sends an important message from Congress that we are united behind the Georgians as they pursue their future in the transatlantic communities.”
The bipartisan bill by Shaheen and Risch holds Georgian officials and individuals responsible for corruption, human right abuses, or efforts to advance the Foreign Agents Law. It also requires the US Department of State develop a long-term policy toward Georgia that includes a review of military aid and requiring all funding to be halted from the United States Government.
The draft bill also highlights the U.S. Senate’s commitment to support Georgian civil society, in light of recent events. It authorizes not less than $50,000,000 to support democracy and law and order projects in Georgia. It also includes two reporting requirements: (1) assessing the extent of foreign malign influences in Georgia; and (2) efforts to help Georgian political prisoner.
A separate bill, the MEGOBARI Act has also been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would also impose sanctions against Georgian officials who undermine the democracy of Georgia. The MEGOBARI Act was already approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee in the U.S. Congress.
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