No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8845 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8845
To support democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 26, 2024
Mr. Keating (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in
addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To support democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Titles.--This Act may be cited as the ``Georgian People's
Act'' or the ``GPA Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Statement of policy.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
TITLE I--CONDITIONS ON ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA
Subtitle A--Sanctions
Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Statement of policy.
Sec. 103. Inadmissibility of officials of Government of Georgia and
certain other individuals involved in
blocking Euro-Atlantic integration.
Sec. 104. Imposition of sanctions with respect to undermining peace,
security, stability, sovereignty, or
territorial integrity of Georgia.
Sec. 105. Sanctions with respect to broader corruption in Georgia.
Sec. 106. Exceptions.
Subtitle B--Improving Bilateral Relations With Georgia
Sec. 111. United States strategy toward Georgia.
Sec. 112. Report on review of foreign assistance to Georgia.
Sec. 113. Sense of Congress regarding suspension of United States-
Georgia strategic dialogue.
Sec. 114. Defense cooperation with Georgia.
TITLE II--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIAN PEOPLE
Sec. 201. Statement of policy in support of the Georgian people.
Sec. 202. Democracy and rule-of-law programming.
Sec. 203. Report on disinformation and corruption in Georgia.
Sec. 204. Report on political prisoners in Georgia.
Sec. 205. Sunset.
SEC. 2. 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 provoked--
(A) large-scale protests in Tbilisi and around the
country; and
(B) 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 bill, 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. 3. 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 bill, 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 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. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(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 bill.--The term ``foreign agents bill''
means the ``On Transparency of Foreign Influence'' bill, which
was reintroduced in the Parliament of Georgia in April 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.
TITLE I--CONDITIONS ON ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA
Subtitle A--Sanctions
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(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;
(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.
(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. 102. 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 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. 103. 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, 2012, has
served as a member of the Parliament of the Government of
Georgia, as a senior staff 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.--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) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a written report to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that--
(1) lists any foreign person for whom the Secretary has
determined has knowingly engaged in an activity described in
subsection (a); and
(2) a detailed justification for each such positive
determination.
(d) Form.--The report required under subsection (c) shall be
submitted in accordance with the reporting requirements outlined in
7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Appropriations Act, 2024 (division F of Public Law 118-47; 8 U.S.C.
1182 note).
(e) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the application of subsection
(a) 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 have sufficiently changed.
SEC. 104. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNDERMINING PEACE,
SECURITY, STABILITY, SOVEREIGNTY, OR TERRITORIAL
INTEGRITY OF GEORGIA.
(a) In General.--The sanctions described in subsection (b) shall be
applied to any foreign person the President determines, on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act--
(1) 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;
(2) is or has been a leader or official of an entity that
has, or whose members have, engaged in any activity described
in paragraph (1); or
(3) is an immediate family member of a person subject to
sanctions for conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2) who
benefitted from such conduct.
(b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are the following:
(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 a foreign person subject to subsection (a) 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.--
(A) Visas, admission, or parole.--An alien
described in subsection (a) 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.--
(i) In general.--The visa or other entry
documentation of any alien described in
subsection (a) is subject to revocation
regardless of the issue date of the visa or
other entry documentation.
(ii) Immediate effect.--A revocation under
clause (i) shall, in accordance with section
221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1201(i))--
(I) take effect immediately; and
(II) cancel any other valid visa or
entry documentation that is in the
possession of the alien.
(c) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of sanctions
under this section 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 committees of Congress a written determination and
justification that the waiver is in the national security interests of
the United States.
(d) 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 (b)(1) 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 Act, or in any
amendment made by this Act, 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.).
(e) 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 committees of Congress
of the proposed regulations and the provisions of this section
that the regulations are implementing.
(f) Termination of Sanctions.--Any sanctions imposed on a foreign
person pursuant to this section shall terminate on the earlier of--
(1) the date on which the President certifies to the
appropriate committees of Congress that the conditions
requiring such sanctions no longer apply; or
(2) December 31, 2029.
(g) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective on December
31, 2029.
SEC. 105. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO BROADER CORRUPTION IN GEORGIA.
(a) Determination and Report Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes--
(A) a list of all foreign persons about whom the
Secretary has made a positive determination pursuant to
section 103(a); and
(B) a determination as to whether any foreign
person on the list described in subparagraph (A)
qualifies under existing sanctions authorities
described in subsection (b).
(2) Form of report.--The report required under paragraph
(1) shall be provided in unclassified form, but a classified
annex may be provided separately containing additional
contextual information pertaining to the justification for the
issuance of any waiver, as described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii).
(b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are sanctions applicable with respect to a person for acts
of significant corruption, involvement in human rights abuses, or
harmful foreign activities in Georgia under--
(1) Executive Order 14024 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
blocking property of certain persons with respect to specified
harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian
Federation); or
(2) Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
blocking the property of persons involved in serious human
rights abuse or corruption).
(c) Congressional Oversight.--Not later than 120 days after
receiving a request from the chairman and ranking member of the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate or of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives with respect to whether
a foreign person meets meet the criteria for the imposition of
sanctions described in subsection (b), the President shall--
(1) determine if the person meets such criteria; and
(2) submit a written justification to such chairman and
ranking member detailing whether the President imposed or
intends to impose sanctions described in this section with
respect to such person.
SEC. 106. EXCEPTIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) 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).
(2) 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.
(3) 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).
(4) 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).
(b) Exceptions.--
(1) Exception relating to intelligence activities.--
Sanctions under this Act shall not apply to--
(A) any activity subject to the reporting
requirements under title V of the National Security Act
of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.); or
(B) any authorized intelligence activities of the
United States.
(2) Exception to comply with international obligations and
law enforcement activities.--Sanctions under this Act shall not
apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling such
alien into the United States is necessary--
(A) 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
(B) to carry out or assist authorized law
enforcement activity in the United States.
(3) Exception relating to importation of goods.--The
requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all
property and interests in property under this Act shall not
include the authority or a requirement to impose sanctions on
the importation of goods.
(4) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under this Act
shall not apply to--
(A) 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
(B) transactions that are necessary for, or related
to, the activities described in subparagraph (A).
Subtitle B--Improving Bilateral Relations With Georgia
SEC. 111. UNITED STATES STRATEGY TOWARD GEORGIA.
(a) Statement of Policy on Georgia.--It is the policy of the United
States--
(1) to express that if the Government of Georgia proceeds
to pass the foreign agents law and other legislation further
inhibiting its ability to advance its accession into the
European Union--
(A) the United States Government's policy toward
Georgia should take into consideration these updated
circumstances; and
(B) the United States should 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 of State 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 which
shall--
(1) outline specific objectives for enhancing bilateral
ties which reflect the current domestic political environment
in Georgia;
(2) determine 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) determine the extent to which the United States should
continue to invest in its defense partnership with Georgia;
(4) explore how the United States can continue to support
civil society and independent media organizations in Georgia;
and
(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. 112. 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 USAID
Administrator and other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees that outlines all
assistance provided by any United States Government agency to the
Government of Georgia that are not explicitly focused on democracy or
rule of law and shall include--
(1) a detailed overview of each project; and
(2) associated funding allocations, including projected
funding for each project.
(b) Suspension of Projects.--Not later than 60 days after the date
on which the report required under subsection (a) is submitted, the
Secretary shall--
(1) suspend all projects in Georgia carried out by the
Department of State or other United States Government agencies
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; and
(2) consult with the appropriate congressional committees
before any programming actions are taken in response to such
review.
(c) Use of Funds.--
(1) Reprogramming.--The Secretary may reprogram any amounts
that cannot be absorbed to support democracy and rule-of-law
initiatives in Georgia to other initiatives taking place in
other countries in the Europe and Eurasia region after
notifying the appropriate congressional committees.
(2) Limitation.--No amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available by the Act entitled ``An Act Making emergency
supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2024, and for other purposes'', approved April
24, 2024 (Public Law 118-50) may be obligated or expended for
any assistance to Georgia unless the Secretary certifies to the
appropriate congressional committees that--
(A) such obligation or expenditure is in the vital
national security interest of the United States; or
(B) the Government of Georgia is taking measures--
(i) to represent the democratic wishes of
the citizens of Georgia; and
(ii) to uphold its constitutional
obligation to advance membership in the
European Union and NATO.
SEC. 113. 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.
SEC. 114. DEFENSE COOPERATION WITH GEORGIA.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States--
(1) is proud of the strong defense relationship between the
United States and Georgia, which was--
(A) cemented in 2002 through a Defense Cooperation
Agreement; and
(B) further enhanced in October 2021 by the Georgia
Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative;
(2) is grateful to the Georgian Defense forces for their
contributions to international peacekeeping missions,
including--
(A) the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission;
(B) the European Union Military Operation in the
Central African Republic; and
(C) its deployment of forces in support of United
States forces in Iraq from 2006 to 2008;
(3) is grateful to the Georgian Ministry of Defense's
contributions toward the NATO-led International Security
Assistance Force (referred to in this section as the ``ISAF'')
in Afghanistan, whereby--
(A) Georgia was one of the largest contributors of
troops per capita for a non-NATO country; and
(B) 32 Georgian soldiers died and 280 Georgian
soldiers were wounded in support of the ISAF mission;
and
(4) should, to the extent possible, sustain strong ties
between the United States military and the Georgian Ministry of
Defense.
(b) Defense Review.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct a defense
review to determine whether the United States, in response to recent
political developments in Georgia, should continue to support the
military needs of Georgia.
TITLE II--ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIAN PEOPLE
SEC. 201. 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. 202. 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, not less
than $50,000,000 shall 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. 203. REPORT ON DISINFORMATION AND CORRUPTION IN 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 submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that includes--
(1) an assessment of 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) a list of--
(A) 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
(B) efforts undertaken by the Government of Georgia
to sanction actors involved in the spread of
disinformation that limits its Euro-Atlantic
aspirations;
(3) an assessment of 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;
(4) a list of policy options to assist the Government of
Georgia in helping protect democracy and the rule of law by
punishing bad actors;
(5) an overview of efforts in Georgia designed--
(A) to suppress a free and independent media; or
(B) to harass and intimidate civil society;
(6) a list of actors responsible for--
(A) the suppression of a free and independent media
in Georgia; or
(B) harassment and intimidation of civil society in
Georgia;
(7) an 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
(8) an 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. 204. REPORT ON POLITICAL PRISONERS IN GEORGIA.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with relevant
Federal agencies, as determined by the Secretary, shall submit a report
to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representativesa that includes--
(1) a list of prisoners within the Georgian prison system
that the Department of State considers to be imprisoned for
political reasons or otherwise wrongfully detained, especially
those who have been detained since March 2024; and
(2) a description of efforts to work with Georgian
authorities to advocate for the release of such prisoners.
(b) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall be
submitted in unclassified form.
SEC. 205. SUNSET.
This Act, except for section 104, 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.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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