US House to vote on MEGOBARI Act targeting Georgian officials
In addition to sanctions, the bill proposes a comprehensive reassessment of US-Georgia relations.
Author
Front News Georgia
The United States House of Representatives is expected to vote today on the MEGOBARI Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that could lead to sanctions against senior figures within Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party. The vote is anticipated late on Monday, Tbilisi time.
The bill - formally titled the Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act - was reintroduced earlier this year after initially being proposed by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson in May 2024. It was delayed in the previous congressional session but has since gained renewed momentum. The act is now progressing through additional House committees for further review.
The MEGOBARI Act, whose English-language acronym coincidentally spells “friends Act” in Georgian, “aims to reaffirm US support for the Georgian people” and the “country’s path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.” The bill includes measures that would require the President to impose targeted sanctions on members of Georgian Dream and their associates accused of corruption or undermining democratic reforms.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the legislation on 27 March. However, it must still be passed by both the House and the full Senate before it can be sent to the President for final approval.
In addition to sanctions, the bill proposes a comprehensive reassessment of US-Georgia relations, including aid programs, and encourages deeper ties in defense cooperation and civil society engagement - provided Georgia adheres to its constitutional commitments. It also reinforces Washington’s recognition of Georgia’s sovereignty and its opposition to Russia’s continued occupation of Georgian territories.
While distinct from the Georgia People’s Act - a separate bipartisan initiative introduced in the US Senate - the MEGOBARI Act represents a growing push within Congress to hold Georgian leadership accountable amid increasing concerns over the country’s democratic direction.
