HR 36119th CongressIntroduced

MEGOBARI Act

Introduced: Jan 3, 2025

Defense & National Security

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The MEGOBARI Act (Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act) is a U.S. bill aimed at countering influence from the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian regime, and the Russian Federation within Georgia. It conditions U.S. support on Georgia making concrete progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration (EU and NATO) and upholding democratic standards. The measure would: (1) suspend or restrict a key bilateral partnership framework with Georgia until democratic reforms are demonstrated; (2) authorize a broad sanctions toolkit against Georgian officials and others deemed to hinder Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic ambitions or undermine its peace and sovereignty; (3) require intelligence and strategy reports/briefings on Georgia’s security environment, including Russian and Chinese influence; (4) create a 5-year U.S. strategy for bilateral relations with Georgia that assesses funding, aid, and civil society support; and (5) offer additional security and people-to-people programs if Georgia shows progress toward democracy. The act also includes humanitarian carve-outs and a sunset provision of five years.

Key Points

1Core purpose and leverage
2- Seeks to counter Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran’s influence in Georgia and to push Georgia toward EU/NATO membership.
3- States a sense that Georgia’s democratic progress and alignment with Western institutions are in U.S. interests; calls suspension of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia takes concrete pro-democracy steps.
4Policy framework and conditions
5- endorses Georgia’s goal of EU and NATO membership and urges Georgia to pursue reforms and oppose actions that undermine democracy.
6- urges reevaluation and potential recalibration of U.S. assistance if Georgia does not align with Euro-Atlantic objectives.
7Sanctions regime (Section 6)
8- Two sanction tracks: (b) targeting Georgian officials and others who block Euro-Atlantic integration or commit corruption/violence; (c) targeting individuals undermining Georgia’s peace, sovereignty, or territorial integrity.
9- Sanctions include blocking property and visa/admission restrictions; allows for case-by-case waivers on national security grounds.
10- Requires prompt briefings to Congress on sanctions imposed and justification; allows for waivers tied to national security or changing circumstances.
11- Includes broader corruption sanctions authorizing use of IEEPA powers; includes explicit humanitarian and international obligations exemptions.
12Reports and strategy (Section 5)
13- A classified report within 180 days assessing Russian intelligence assets in Georgia, with an annex on Chinese influence and possible Russia-China cooperation.
14- A 5-year bilateral strategy due within 90 days outlining objectives, tools/resources, civil society support, and trade/aid considerations; unclassified with a classified annex.
15Additional assistance and certification (Section 7)
16- After Congress receives a certification that Georgia is making significant progress toward democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration, the U.S. should expand people-to-people exchanges and security cooperation, including defense equipment and training.
17- Provides a sense of Congress that warmer ties could be restored if Georgia realigns with Western aims.
18Sunset and exceptions
19- The act would sunset five years after enactment unless extended.
20- Contains exceptions for intelligence activities, international obligations, and humanitarian aid; excludes sanctions from blocking essential imports or humanitarian transactions.
21Definitions and scope (Section 2)
22- Defines “appropriate congressional committees,” “NATO,” and “Secretary” (Secretary of State), among others, and sets out how sanctions and authorities are to be interpreted.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Georgia: government officials, security services, judiciary, civil society, media, and ordinary Georgian citizens who could be impacted by sanctions, aid conditionality, or enhanced Western integration efforts.Secondary group/area affected- United States government and Congress: increased oversight, reporting requirements, and potential shifts in bilateral aid and security cooperation.- European Union and NATO: potential changes in Georgia’s path toward accession and alignment with Western institutions; may influence regional security dynamics.Additional impacts- International sanctions regime: broad use of IEEPA authorities could interact with other sanctions programs and impact third-country actors involved with Georgia.- Civil society and humanitarian actors: exemptions are provided, but sanctions and policy reversals could affect funding, programs, and media independence.- Geopolitical dynamics: signals U.S. prioritizes democratic governance and Euro-Atlantic alignment in Georgia, potentially affecting relations with Russia, China, and regional actors.Suspension of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission is a significant diplomatic tool reflecting conditional engagement tied to Georgia’s political progress.The sanctions framework targets both current/former Georgian officials and actors undermining democracy or sovereignty, with standard immigration-related penalties and property blocking under IEEPA.The intelligence and strategy reporting components emphasize monitoring Russian and Chinese influence and planning for long-term bilateral engagement.The humanitarian carve-outs and import prohibition caveat ensure aid and essential goods can still move even amid sanctions, reducing potential humanitarian disruption.A five-year sunset creates a defined timeline for reevaluation, with the possibility of renewal if Georgia advances toward Western integration and democratic standards.

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