The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill authorizing sanctions against members of the Georgian government who pose a threat to the country’s stability, security, and democratic development.
After Congress approved it on Monday, the bill — called the Megobari Act which means “friend” in Georgian — will now move to the Senate for debate and a vote. If approved in the Senate, it will be sent to U.S. President Donald Trump for final approval and signature into law.
“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,” Congressman Steve Cohen said in a statement.
Over the past two years, the ruling Georgian Dream party has been cracking down on civil society and media, and using violent tactics against protestors. The most recent round of protests have been ongoing since November, when the government decided to postpone European Union membership talks.
In 2024, the Parliament of Georgia enacted controversial legislation, commonly referred to by as the “Russian law” due to its similarity to legal measures used in that country to suppress opposition voices.
Cohen said in his statement that the proposed U.S. legislation would require a “full report of Russian… intelligence assets in Georgia,” and efforts to undermine the country’s “democracy and sovereignty.”
While the Bill is not limited to government officials, it “mandates a comprehensive sanctions review of all Georgian Dream officials,” he added. “Those found to have engaged in corruption or undermining Georgian sovereignty will be sanctioned.”
The Bill passed with 168 votes from Republicans and 181 from Democrats. News of the Bill passing in the House sparked anger among Georgian officials almost immediately.
“The ‘deep state’ is still very much alive. If (U.S. President) Donald Trump succeeds in defeating it, we will welcome that outcome, as it would have a positive impact on us as well,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, and senior Georgian Dream member, told the country’s public broadcaster.
In an interview with the pro-government Rustavi TV, ruling party lawmaker Givi Mikanadze called passage of the act a “direct insult” to the country.
Opposition parties, however, welcomed the news.
Mamuka Khazaradze, chair of the Strong Georgia coalition, said in a Facebook post that he had high hopes for the legislation.
“It is now clear that accountability will come for all these crimes,” he wrote, “and the MEGOBARI Act is the first step towards that!”
The U.S. government under its previous president, Joe Biden, imposed sanctions in December on Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Also in December, the U.K. and U.S. sanctioned Georgia’s interior minister and other officials for their roles in a violent crackdown on protesters opposing the government’s decision to delay EU membership talks until 2028.