The U.S. House of Representatives recently concluded its deliberations on the MEGOBARI Act. Speakers included Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, the bill’s sponsor, and Representative Brian Mast of Florida, who urged his colleagues to support the bill.
“Georgia's strategic location on the Black Sea makes it a pivotal nation for trade through the middle corridor to Central Asia and can serve as a counterbalance to Iran and Russian influence in the region. I support this bipartisan bill introduced by Mr. Wilson because it takes an America-First approach to the Republic of Georgia. This bill will impose sanctions on regime officials for their roles in undermining Georgia's sovereignty and pro-Western trajectory, as well as review our bilateral relationship, including assistance programs, and require a report that highlights Russian intelligence activities in Georgia. However, this bill also provides Georgia with an alternative: once the President certifies that Georgia has returned to its pro-Western trajectory, it promises enhanced people-to-people ties, military cooperation, and encourages an improved bilateral relationship. The United States should reward partners for good behavior.
This bill is not an attack on the Georgian people; it seeks to support them by punishing rogue officials who are taking them further away from the United States. The House Foreign Affairs Committee favorably marked up a version of this bill during the last Congress, where it passed with a strong majority, and I expect it will receive similar support today. I urge my colleagues to support this pragmatic approach to foreign policy and endorse this measure,” said the Congressman.
The final vote on the MEGOBARI Act in the House of Representatives is scheduled for 6 p.m. Washington time.
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