The vote on the “MEGOBARI Act” once again confirmed that the Georgian people and the democratic future of Georgia have strong bipartisan support in the United States, reads the statement by the “Coalition for Change.”
As the statement notes, the support for the Act makes it clear that “the rhetoric of Ivanishvili and his regime representatives, suggesting that our international partners might tolerate the ongoing anti-democratic processes in Georgia and recognize the legitimacy of the usurping so-called government, is propaganda aimed at misleading the Georgian people.”
“The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the adoption of the ‘MEGOBARI Act,’ with which our American partners once again expressed their strong support for the Georgian people and simultaneously took an important step toward holding Ivanishvili’s usurping, violent, authoritarian, Russian-aligned regime accountable.
“The ‘MEGOBARI Act’ calls for the release of political prisoners and the sanctioning of those who contributed to democratic backsliding in Georgia and the increasing influence of Russia, China, and Iran. It also includes sanctions on their family members and relatives involved in corrupt activities.
“The vote on the ‘MEGOBARI Act’ once again confirmed that the Georgian people and Georgia’s democratic future have strong bipartisan support in the United States.
“The Act’s support makes it clear that the rhetoric of Ivanishvili and his regime representatives, suggesting that our international partners might accept the ongoing anti-democratic processes in Georgia and recognize the legitimacy of the usurping so-called government, is propaganda intended to mislead the Georgian people. With the adoption of the MEGOBARI Act, the United States has officially, at the legislative level, taken action against ‘Georgian Dream.’
“We, the pro-Western political forces fighting for Georgia’s democratic transformation and the well-being of Georgian citizens, appreciate the firm support of our international partners and are confident that the FRIEND Act will soon pass the remaining procedures. This will mean significant pressure on those who are destroying our country’s future and strong support for those who are fighting for Georgia’s freedom,” the statement reads.
The US House of Representatives has passed the “MEGOBARI Act” with strong bipartisan support—349 members voted in favor, while 42 opposed it.
The bill, officially titled the “Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act” (MEGOBARI), now awaits consideration in the US Senate.
