Congressmen Cohen, Wilson, Hudson and Veasey Welcome House Passage of MEGOBARI Act
Effort to help restore Georgian democracy
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), Co-Chairman Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) tonight welcomed the House passage of the bipartisan Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence (MEGOBARI) Act. This vital legislation will bolster democratic practices, human rights, and the rule of law in the Republic of Georgia, reaffirming the United States' commitment to supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and countering the influence of authoritarian regimes, particularly Russia.
The vote was 349 to 42.
“The passage of the MEGOBARI Act sends a strong message to the Georgian people that the U.S. supports them as they fight for their democracy. Corrupt Ivanishvili and his Georgian Nightmare party are cracking down and imprisoning protestors who demand free and fair elections as independent observers call the late October elections fundamentally flawed. The MEGOBARI Act provides help, mandating sanctions on Putin’s pawns and promising a deepened relationship should Georgian democracy and sovereignty be restored,” said Congressman Cohen. See his speech during debate on the measure here.
“In the Georgian language, ‘megobari’ means ‘friend,’ and this bill reflects the powerful friendship and partnership between the United States and the Georgian people," said Chairman Wilson. "The Ivanishvili regime seeks to undermine Georgian freedom. I stand with the Georgian people and the legitimate President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili in their call for free and fair elections. This bill provides Georgian Dream officials with a choice to abandon the would-be dictator Ivanishvili or face sanctions. There is still time to save Georgia’s sovereignty!”
“The MEGOBARI Act reinforces our nation’s support for the Georgian people and democratic efforts throughout the Caucasus,” said Congressman Richard Hudson. “This bill is an important counter to Putin and his cronies as they attempt to reassert influence in the region.”
“I am proud to vote for our bill, the MEGOBARI Act, as it more crucial now than ever—a lifeline to ensure our allies in Georgia are not crushed by the Ivanishvili regime, as well as their authoritarian allies- Russian, Chinese, and Iranian, etc. This act will continue to enable the Georgian people to be able to fight for democracy,” said Congressman Veasey.
The MEGOBARI Act:
Mandates a comprehensive sanctions review of all Georgian Dream officials. Those found to have engaged in corruption or undermining Georgian sovereignty will be sanctioned.
Provides for a certification mechanism that mandates a deeper relationship between the United States and Georgia once Georgia’s democracy and sovereignty have been restored.
Requires a full report of Russian and CCP intelligence assets in Georgia and Russian-CCP cooperation to undermine Georgian democracy and sovereignty.
The Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence (MEGOBARI) Act is the premier U.S. initiative to counter the Ivanishvili Regime’s attempt to drag Georgia toward the Iranian regime, the Chinese Communist Party, and Russia. The bill is fully negotiated between House and Senate, Democrat and Republican leaders and is expected to move quickly. MEGOBARI means “friend” in Georgian.
The October elections that led to a shocking victory for Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream party have been declared by international observers as fundamentally flawed. This illegitimate parliament installed an illegitimate puppet president. The legitimate President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, is leading and supporting mass protests calling for free and fair elections.
This bill ensures the United States stands strongly with the Georgian people in their decades-long drive for freedom and sovereignty.
See the bill here.
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