I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8845 
To support democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 26, 2024 
Mr. KEATING (for himself and Mr. FITZPATRICK) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To support democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLES.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Georgian People’s Act’’ or the ‘‘GPA Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. Statement of policy. 
Sec. 4. Definitions. 
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TITLE I—CONDITIONS ON ENGAGEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT OF 
GEORGIA 
Subtitle A—Sanctions 
Sec. 101. Definitions. 
Sec. 102. Statement of policy. 
Sec. 103. Inadmissibility of officials of Government of Georgia and certain 
other individuals involved in blocking Euro-Atlantic integration. 
Sec. 104. Imposition of sanctions with respect to undermining peace, security, 
stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Georgia. 
Sec. 105. Sanctions with respect to broader corruption in Georgia. 
Sec. 106. Exceptions. 
Subtitle B—Improving Bilateral Relations With Georgia 
Sec. 111. United States strategy toward Georgia. 
Sec. 112. Report on review of foreign assistance to Georgia. 
Sec. 113. Sense of Congress regarding suspension of United States-Georgia 
strategic dialogue. 
Sec. 114. Defense cooperation with Georgia. 
TITLE II—ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIAN 
PEOPLE 
Sec. 201. Statement of policy in support of the Georgian people. 
Sec. 202. Democracy and rule-of-law programming. 
Sec. 203. Report on disinformation and corruption in Georgia. 
Sec. 204. Report on political prisoners in Georgia. 
Sec. 205. Sunset. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) On April 9, 1991, the Republic of Georgia 
declared independence from the Soviet Union, and 
on March 24, 1992, the United States and Georgia 
established formal diplomatic relations. 
(2) Since 1993, the territorial integrity of Geor-
gia has been reaffirmed by the international commu-
nity and numerous United Nations Security Council 
resolutions. 
(3) At the 2008 Summit in Bucharest, NATO 
recognized the aspirations of Georgia to join NATO 
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and committed that Georgia would become a mem-
ber of the Alliance. 
(4) On August 7, 2008, the Russian Federation 
invaded Georgia and thereafter occupied 20 percent 
of its territory, all of which it continues to occupy. 
(5) On January 9, 2009, the United States and 
Georgia signed the United States-Georgia Charter 
on Strategic Partnership, affirming the close rela-
tionship between the United States and Georgia 
based on the shared principles of democracy, free 
markets, defense and security cooperation, and cul-
tural exchanges. 
(6) Georgia made significant contributions to 
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and was the larg-
est troop contributor among NATO partners to the 
NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. 
(7) The United States and Georgia have main-
tained a strong security partnership, including the 
U.S.-Georgia 
Security 
Cooperation 
Framework, 
signed in November 2019, and the Georgia Defense 
and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative, launched in 
October 2021. 
(8) The United States supports the sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of Georgia within its inter-
nationally recognized borders and condemns the con-
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tinued occupation by Russia of the Georgian regions 
of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. 
(9) The United States has continuously sup-
ported the democratic wishes of the Georgian people, 
who have long maintained their aspirations to join 
the European Union and NATO. 
(10) During and following her tenure as United 
States Ambassador and Plenipotentiary to Georgia 
between 2020 and 2023, Kelly Degnan has been the 
subject of slander and verbal abuse from members of 
the Government of Georgia. 
(11) As recently as October 2023, reputable 
polling indicates that 86 percent of the Georgian 
public support Georgia becoming a member of the 
European Union. 
(12) Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of 
Ukraine in February 2022, Georgia— 
(A) has not imposed its own sanctions on 
Russia; and 
(B) has increased economic ties, including 
initiating many direct flights to and from Rus-
sia; 
(C) has eased visa requirements for Rus-
sians visiting Georgia; and 
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(D) is perceived as a conduit of Russia’s 
sanctions evasion endeavors. 
(13) Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of 
Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent 
rounds of international sanctions placed on Russia 
as a result of such invasion, Georgia saw its trade 
with Russia grow by 34 percent between January 
and June 2023. 
(14) Georgia’s geographic position as both a 
Black Sea littoral nation and its proximity to the 
Caspian Sea could further strengthen Georgia’s 
economy by transporting natural gas through the 
Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline Project. 
(15) In June 2022, when the Governments of 
Ukraine and Moldova received candidate status for 
membership in the European Union, the European 
Council stated it would only be ready to grant Geor-
gia candidate status once the country has addressed 
the 12 priorities outlined by the European Commis-
sion. 
(16) In December 2023, the European Union 
granted Georgia the status of candidate country, 
with the understanding that Georgia would act con-
sistent with the recommendations of the European 
Commission by continuing to advance the outlined 
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reform priorities and increasing its alignment with 
the European Union’s foreign and security policy po-
sitions. 
(17) On February 24, 2023, a foreign agents 
bill was introduced in the Parliament of Georgia— 
(A) to impose restrictions on civil society 
organizations, nongovernmental organizations, 
and independent media organizations; and 
(B) to stigmatize such organizations as 
‘‘foreign agents’’. 
(18) On March 7, 2023, the Parliament of 
Georgia accelerated the passage of that bill, which 
led to— 
(A) large-scale protests that Georgian au-
thorities confronted by deploying tear gas and 
water cannons; and 
(B) the withdrawal of the bill by the Par-
liament. 
(19) On April 15, 2024, the foreign agents bill, 
which was renamed ‘‘the Law on Transparency of 
Foreign Influence’’, was reintroduced in the Par-
liament of Georgia with minor changes that did not 
reflect the express wishes of the Georgian people, 
which provoked— 
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(A) large-scale protests in Tbilisi and 
around the country; and 
(B) the ejection of opposition parliamen-
tarians from parliamentary hearings. 
(20) On April 29, 2024, former Georgian Prime 
Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is currently the 
Honorary Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream 
Party, gave a speech in which he— 
(A) harshly attacked American and Euro-
pean partners; 
(B) alleged that the goal of foreign funding 
of civil society and nongovernmental organiza-
tions in Georgia is to deprive Georgia of its 
state sovereignty; and 
(C) promised to punish opposition political 
groups. 
(21) In the face of massive, nation-wide pro-
tests against the foreign agents bill, Georgian au-
thorities have, in some cases, deployed dispropor-
tionate force against largely peaceful protestors, in-
cluding— 
(A) reportedly attacking journalists cov-
ering the protests and members of the political 
opposition; and 
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(B) threatening civil society leaders and 
family members of protestors at their homes. 
(22) On May 14, 2024, the Parliament of Geor-
gia passed the foreign agents bill against the wishes 
of the Georgian people. 
(23) On May 21, 2024, the Venice Commission 
issued an opinion regarding Georgia’s foreign influ-
ence law in which it ‘‘strongly recommend[ed] re-
pealing the Law in its current form, as its funda-
mental flaws will involve significant negative con-
sequences for the freedoms of association and ex-
pression, the right to privacy, the right to partici-
pate in public affairs as well as the prohibition of 
discrimination.’’ 
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
It is the policy of the United States— 
(1) to call on all political parties and elected 
Members of the Parliament of Georgia to continue 
working on addressing the reform plan outlined by 
the European Commission to advance Georgia’s re-
cently granted candidate status, which the people of 
Georgia have freely elected to pursue; 
(2) to call on the Government of Georgia to in-
stitute the required reforms, which are to be devel-
oped through an inclusive and transparent consulta-
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tion process with opposition parties and civil society 
organizations; 
(3) to express serious concern that impediments 
to strengthening the democratic institutions and 
processes of Georgia, including the foreign agents 
bill, will slow or halt Georgia’s progress toward 
achieving its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, be perceived 
as stagnating the democratic trajectory of Georgia, 
and result in negative domestic and international 
consequences for the Government of Georgia; 
(4) to impose swift consequences on individuals 
who are directly responsible for leading or have di-
rectly and knowingly engaged in leading, actions or 
policies that significantly undermine the peace, secu-
rity, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of 
Georgia; 
(5) to emphasize the importance of contributing 
to international efforts— 
(A) to combat Russian aggression, includ-
ing through sanctions on trade with Russia and 
the implementation and enforcement of world-
wide sanctions on Russia; and 
(B) to reduce, rather than increase, trade 
ties between Georgia and Russia; 
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(6) to call on all political parties, elected Mem-
bers of the Parliament of Georgia, and officers of 
the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia to respect 
the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and 
expression, including for the press, and the rule of 
law, and encourage a vibrant and inclusive civil soci-
ety; 
(7) to call on the Government of Georgia to re-
lease all persons detained or imprisoned on politi-
cally motivated grounds and drop any pending 
charges against them; 
(8) to call on the Government of Georgia to en-
sure that the national elections scheduled for Octo-
ber 2024 are free, fair, and reflective of the will of 
the Georgian people; and 
(9) to continue impressing upon the Govern-
ment of Georgia that the United States is committed 
to sustaining and deepening bilateral relations and 
supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
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(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate; 
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives. 
(2) FOREIGN AGENTS BILL.—The term ‘‘for-
eign agents bill’’ means the ‘‘On Transparency of 
Foreign Influence’’ bill, which was reintroduced in 
the Parliament of Georgia in April 2024. 
(3) GEORGIA.—The term ‘‘Georgia’’ means the 
Republic of Georgia. 
(4) NATO.—The term ‘‘NATO’’ means the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of State. 
TITLE I—CONDITIONS ON EN-
GAGEMENT 
WITH 
GOVERN-
MENT OF GEORGIA 
Subtitle A—Sanctions 
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
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(1) ADMISSION; ADMITTED; ALIEN.—The terms 
‘‘admission’’, ‘‘admitted’’, and ‘‘alien’’ have the 
meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Im-
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101). 
(2) 
APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
and Urban Affairs of the Senate; 
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(D) the Committee on Financial Services 
of the House of Representatives. 
(3) FOREIGN PERSON.—The term ‘‘foreign per-
son’’ means any individual or entity that is not a 
United States person. 
(4) IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS.—The term 
‘‘immediate family members’’ has the meaning given 
the 
term 
‘‘immediate 
relatives’’ 
in 
section 
201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(b)(2)(A)(i)). 
(5) KNOWINGLY.—The term ‘‘knowingly’’, with 
respect to conduct, a circumstance, or a result, 
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means that a person has actual knowledge, or should 
have known, of the conduct, the circumstance, or the 
result. 
(6) 
UNITED
STATES
PERSON.—The 
term 
‘‘United States person’’ means— 
(A) a United States citizen or an alien law-
fully admitted for permanent residence to the 
United States; 
(B) an entity organized under the laws of 
the United States or any jurisdiction within the 
United States, including a foreign branch of 
such an entity; or 
(C) any person within the United States. 
SEC. 102. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—It shall be the policy of the United 
States to support the constitutionally stated aspirations 
of Georgia to become a member of the European Union 
and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which— 
(1) is made clear under Article 78 of the Con-
stitution of Georgia; and 
(2) is supported by 86 percent of the citizens 
of Georgia. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
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(1) acts of blocking Euro-Atlantic integration in 
Georgia, due to undue influence from corrupt or oli-
garchic forces, constitute a form of corruption; 
(2) the United States should consider travel re-
strictions or sanctions on individuals responsible for 
any actions preventing Georgia from moving toward 
Euro-Atlantic integration, which include acts of vio-
lence or intimidation against Georgian citizens, 
members of civil society, and members of an opposi-
tion political party; 
(3) the United States, in response to recent 
events in Georgia, should reassess whether recent 
actions undertaken by individuals in Georgia should 
result in the imposition of sanctions by the United 
States for acts of significant corruption and human 
rights abuses; and 
(4) the United States should consider revoking 
the visas of nationals of Georgia and their family 
members who— 
(A) live in the United States; and 
(B) are determined to meet the criteria de-
scribed in section 103(a). 
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SEC. 103. INADMISSIBILITY OF OFFICIALS OF GOVERN-
MENT OF GEORGIA AND CERTAIN OTHER IN-
DIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN BLOCKING EURO- 
ATLANTIC INTEGRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall iden-
tify and make a determination as to whether any of the 
following foreign persons has knowingly engaged in signifi-
cant acts of corruption, or acts of violence or intimidation 
in relation to the blocking of Euro-Atlantic integration in 
Georgia: 
(1) Any individual who, on or after January 1, 
2012, has served as a member of the Parliament of 
the Government of Georgia, as a senior staff mem-
ber of the Parliament of the Government of Georgia, 
or as a current or former senior official of a Geor-
gian political party. 
(2) Any individual who is serving as an official 
in a leadership position working on behalf of the 
Government of Georgia, including law enforcement, 
intelligence, judicial, or local or municipal govern-
ment. 
(3) An immediate family member of an official 
described in paragraph (1) or a person described in 
paragraph (2). 
(b) CURRENT VISAS REVOKED.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The visa or other entry doc-
umentation of any alien described in subsection (a) 
is subject to immediate revocation regardless of the 
issue date of such visa or documentation. 
(2) IMMEDIATE
EFFECT.—A revocation of a 
visa or other entry documentation of any alien pur-
suant to paragraph (1) shall, in accordance with sec-
tion 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
(8 U.S.C. 1201(i))— 
(A) take effect immediately; and 
(B) cancel any other valid visa or entry 
documentation that is in the possession of such 
alien. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
a written report to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the House of Representatives that— 
(1) lists any foreign person for whom the Sec-
retary has determined has knowingly engaged in an 
activity described in subsection (a); and 
(2) a detailed justification for each such posi-
tive determination. 
(d) FORM.—The report required under subsection (c) 
shall be submitted in accordance with the reporting re-
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quirements outlined in 7031(c) of the Department of 
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Appropriations 
Act, 2024 (division F of Public Law 118-47; 8 U.S.C. 
1182 note). 
(e) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the applica-
tion of subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that— 
(1) such waiver would serve a compelling na-
tional interest; or 
(2) the circumstances which caused the indi-
vidual to be ineligible have sufficiently changed. 
SEC. 104. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO 
UNDERMINING PEACE, SECURITY, STABILITY, 
SOVEREIGNTY, OR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY 
OF GEORGIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The sanctions described in sub-
section (b) shall be applied to any foreign person the 
President determines, on or after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act— 
(1) is responsible for, complicit in, or has di-
rectly or indirectly engaged in or attempted to en-
gage in, actions or policies, including ordering, con-
trolling, or otherwise directing acts that are intended 
to undermine the peace, security, stability, sov-
ereignty, or territorial integrity of Georgia; 
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(2) is or has been a leader or official of an enti-
ty that has, or whose members have, engaged in any 
activity described in paragraph (1); or 
(3) is an immediate family member of a person 
subject to sanctions for conduct described in para-
graph (1) or (2) who benefitted from such conduct. 
(b) SANCTIONS
DESCRIBED.—The sanctions de-
scribed in this subsection are the following: 
(1) 
BLOCKING
OF
PROPERTY.—Notwith-
standing the requirements under section 202 of the 
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701), the President shall exercise all au-
thorities granted under the International Emergency 
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to 
the extent necessary to block and prohibit all trans-
actions in property and interests in property of a 
foreign person subject to subsection (a) if such prop-
erty and interests in property are in the United 
States, come within the United States, or are or 
come within the possession or control of a United 
States person. 
(2) INELIGIBILITY FOR VISAS, ADMISSION, OR 
PAROLE.— 
(A) VISAS, ADMISSION, OR PAROLE.—An 
alien described in subsection (a) shall be— 
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(i) inadmissible to the United States; 
(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other 
documentation to enter the United States; 
and 
(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted 
or paroled into the United States or to re-
ceive any other benefit under the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et 
seq.). 
(B) CURRENT VISAS REVOKED.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The visa or other 
entry documentation of any alien described 
in subsection (a) is subject to revocation 
regardless of the issue date of the visa or 
other entry documentation. 
(ii) IMMEDIATE
EFFECT.—A revoca-
tion under clause (i) shall, in accordance 
with section 221(i) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i))— 
(I) take effect immediately; and 
(II) cancel any other valid visa or 
entry documentation that is in the 
possession of the alien. 
(c) WAIVER.—The President may waive the applica-
tion of sanctions under this section with respect to a for-
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eign person for renewable periods not to exceed 180 days 
if, not later than 15 days before the date on which such 
waiver is to take effect, the President submits to the ap-
propriate committees of Congress a written determination 
and justification that the waiver is in the national security 
interests of the United States. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION; PENALTIES.— 
(1) IMPLEMENTATION.—The President may ex-
ercise all authorities provided under sections 203 
and 205 of the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out 
this section. 
(2) PENALTIES.—A person that violates, at-
tempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a 
violation of subsection (b)(1) or any regulation, li-
cense, or order issued under that subsection shall be 
subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) 
and (c) of section 206 of the International Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as 
a person that commits an unlawful act described in 
subsection (a) of that section. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
Act, or in any amendment made by this Act, may be 
construed to limit the authority of the President to 
designate or sanction persons pursuant to an appli-
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cable Executive order or otherwise pursuant to the 
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
(e) RULEMAKING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
President shall prescribe such regulations as are 
necessary for the implementation of this section. 
(2) NOTIFICATION
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 10 days before prescribing regulations pursu-
ant to paragraph (1), the President shall notify the 
appropriate committees of Congress of the proposed 
regulations and the provisions of this section that 
the regulations are implementing. 
(f) TERMINATION
OF SANCTIONS.—Any sanctions 
imposed on a foreign person pursuant to this section shall 
terminate on the earlier of— 
(1) the date on which the President certifies to 
the appropriate committees of Congress that the 
conditions requiring such sanctions no longer apply; 
or 
(2) December 31, 2029. 
(g) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on December 31, 2029. 
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SEC. 105. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO BROADER COR-
RUPTION IN GEORGIA. 
(a) DETERMINATION AND REPORT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
President shall submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a report that includes— 
(A) a list of all foreign persons about 
whom the Secretary has made a positive deter-
mination pursuant to section 103(a); and 
(B) a determination as to whether any for-
eign person on the list described in subpara-
graph (A) qualifies under existing sanctions au-
thorities described in subsection (b). 
(2) FORM
OF
REPORT.—The report required 
under paragraph (1) shall be provided in unclassified 
form, but a classified annex may be provided sepa-
rately containing additional contextual information 
pertaining to the justification for the issuance of any 
waiver, as described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii). 
(b) SANCTIONS
DESCRIBED.—The sanctions de-
scribed in this subsection are sanctions applicable with re-
spect to a person for acts of significant corruption, in-
volvement in human rights abuses, or harmful foreign ac-
tivities in Georgia under— 
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(1) Executive Order 14024 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
note; relating to blocking property of certain persons 
with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of 
the Government of the Russian Federation); or 
(2) Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 
note; relating to blocking the property of persons in-
volved in serious human rights abuse or corruption). 
(c) CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.—Not later than 
120 days after receiving a request from the chairman and 
ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations 
of the Senate or of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the House of Representatives with respect to whether a 
foreign person meets meet the criteria for the imposition 
of sanctions described in subsection (b), the President 
shall— 
(1) determine if the person meets such criteria; 
and 
(2) submit a written justification to such chair-
man and ranking member detailing whether the 
President imposed or intends to impose sanctions 
described in this section with respect to such person. 
SEC. 106. EXCEPTIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITY.—The term 
‘‘agricultural commodity’’ has the meaning given 
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such term in section 102 of the Agricultural Trade 
Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602). 
(2) GOOD.—The term ‘‘good’’ means any arti-
cle, natural or man-made substance, material, sup-
ply, or manufactured product, including inspection 
and test equipment and excluding technical data. 
(3) MEDICAL DEVICE.—The term ‘‘medical de-
vice’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘device’’ in 
section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cos-
metic Act (21 U.S.C. 321). 
(4) MEDICINE.—The term ‘‘medicine’’ has the 
meaning given the term ‘‘drug’’ in section 201 of the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 
321). 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.— 
(1) EXCEPTION
RELATING
TO
INTELLIGENCE 
ACTIVITIES.—Sanctions under this Act shall not 
apply to— 
(A) any activity subject to the reporting 
requirements under title V of the National Se-
curity Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.); or 
(B) any authorized intelligence activities of 
the United States. 
(2) EXCEPTION
TO
COMPLY
WITH
INTER-
NATIONAL
OBLIGATIONS
AND
LAW
ENFORCEMENT 
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ACTIVITIES.—Sanctions under this Act shall not 
apply with respect to an alien if admitting or parol-
ing such alien into the United States is necessary— 
(A) to permit the United States to comply 
with the Agreement regarding the Head-
quarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake 
Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force 
November 21, 1947, between the United Na-
tions and the United States, or other applicable 
international obligations of the United States; 
or 
(B) to carry out or assist authorized law 
enforcement activity in the United States. 
(3) EXCEPTION RELATING TO IMPORTATION OF 
GOODS.—The requirement to block and prohibit all 
transactions in all property and interests in property 
under this Act shall not include the authority or a 
requirement to impose sanctions on the importation 
of goods. 
(4) HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE.—Sanctions 
under this Act shall not apply to— 
(A) the conduct or facilitation of a trans-
action for the provision of agricultural commod-
ities, food, medicine, medical devices, or human-
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itarian assistance, or for humanitarian pur-
poses; or 
(B) transactions that are necessary for, or 
related to, the activities described in subpara-
graph (A). 
Subtitle B—Improving Bilateral 
Relations With Georgia 
SEC. 111. UNITED STATES STRATEGY TOWARD GEORGIA. 
(a) STATEMENT OF POLICY ON GEORGIA.—It is the 
policy of the United States— 
(1) to express that if the Government of Geor-
gia proceeds to pass the foreign agents law and 
other legislation further inhibiting its ability to ad-
vance its accession into the European Union— 
(A) the United States Government’s policy 
toward Georgia should take into consideration 
these updated circumstances; and 
(B) the United States should review all 
forms of foreign and security assistance made 
available to the Government of Georgia; and 
(2) to reevaluate its policy toward the Govern-
ment of Georgia if the Government of Georgia takes 
the required steps— 
(A) to reorient itself toward its European 
Union accession agenda; and 
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(B) to advance policy or legislation reflect-
ing the express wishes of the Georgian people. 
(b) 5-YEAR UNITED STATES STRATEGY FOR BILAT-
ERAL RELATIONS WITH GEORGIA.—Not later than 90 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of State and the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development, in coordination 
with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and 
agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a detailed strategy which shall— 
(1) outline specific objectives for enhancing bi-
lateral ties which reflect the current domestic polit-
ical environment in Georgia; 
(2) determine what tools, resources, and fund-
ing should be available and assess whether Georgia 
should remain the second-highest recipient of United 
States funding in the Europe and Eurasia region; 
(3) determine the extent to which the United 
States should continue to invest in its defense part-
nership with Georgia; 
(4) explore how the United States can continue 
to support civil society and independent media orga-
nizations in Georgia; and 
(5) determine whether the Government of Geor-
gia remains committed to expanding trade ties with 
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the United States and Europe and whether the 
United States Government should continue to invest 
in Georgian projects. 
SEC. 112. REPORT ON REVIEW OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO 
GEORGIA. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, 
in coordination with the USAID Administrator and other 
relevant Federal agencies, shall submit a report to the ap-
propriate congressional committees that outlines all assist-
ance provided by any United States Government agency 
to the Government of Georgia that are not explicitly fo-
cused on democracy or rule of law and shall include— 
(1) a detailed overview of each project; and 
(2) associated funding allocations, including 
projected funding for each project. 
(b) SUSPENSION OF PROJECTS.—Not later than 60 
days after the date on which the report required under 
subsection (a) is submitted, the Secretary shall— 
(1) suspend all projects in Georgia carried out 
by the Department of State or other United States 
Government agencies that primarily provide material 
aid, reputational advantage, or sustenance to state 
actors, officials, or their proxies who undermine the 
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democracy of Georgia and enable Russian aggression 
within and outside of Georgia; and 
(2) consult with the appropriate congressional 
committees before any programming actions are 
taken in response to such review. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(1) REPROGRAMMING.—The Secretary may re-
program any amounts that cannot be absorbed to 
support democracy and rule-of-law initiatives in 
Georgia to other initiatives taking place in other 
countries in the Europe and Eurasia region after no-
tifying the appropriate congressional committees. 
(2) LIMITATION.—No amounts appropriated or 
otherwise made available by the Act entitled ‘‘An 
Act Making emergency supplemental appropriations 
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and 
for other purposes’’, approved April 24, 2024 (Pub-
lic Law 118–50) may be obligated or expended for 
any assistance to Georgia unless the Secretary cer-
tifies to the appropriate congressional committees 
that— 
(A) such obligation or expenditure is in the 
vital national security interest of the United 
States; or 
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(B) the Government of Georgia is taking 
measures— 
(i) to represent the democratic wishes 
of the citizens of Georgia; and 
(ii) to uphold its constitutional obliga-
tion to advance membership in the Euro-
pean Union and NATO. 
SEC. 113. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SUSPENSION 
OF 
UNITED 
STATES-GEORGIA 
STRATEGIC 
DIALOGUE. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should 
suspend the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership 
Commission, established through the United States-Geor-
gia Charter on Strategic Partnership on January 9, 2009, 
until after the Government of Georgia takes measures— 
(1) to represent the democratic wishes of the 
citizens of Georgia; and 
(2) to uphold its constitutional obligation to ad-
vance the country towards membership in the Euro-
pean Union and NATO. 
SEC. 114. DEFENSE COOPERATION WITH GEORGIA. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the United States— 
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(1) is proud of the strong defense relationship 
between the United States and Georgia, which 
was— 
(A) cemented in 2002 through a Defense 
Cooperation Agreement; and 
(B) further enhanced in October 2021 by 
the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhance-
ment Initiative; 
(2) is grateful to the Georgian Defense forces 
for their contributions to international peacekeeping 
missions, including— 
(A) the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission; 
(B) the European Union Military Oper-
ation in the Central African Republic; and 
(C) its deployment of forces in support of 
United States forces in Iraq from 2006 to 
2008; 
(3) is grateful to the Georgian Ministry of De-
fense’s contributions toward the NATO-led Inter-
national Security Assistance Force (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘ISAF’’) in Afghanistan, where-
by— 
(A) Georgia was one of the largest contrib-
utors of troops per capita for a non-NATO 
country; and 
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(B) 32 Georgian soldiers died and 280 
Georgian soldiers were wounded in support of 
the ISAF mission; and 
(4) should, to the extent possible, sustain 
strong ties between the United States military and 
the Georgian Ministry of Defense. 
(b) DEFENSE REVIEW.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall conduct a defense review to determine 
whether the United States, in response to recent political 
developments in Georgia, should continue to support the 
military needs of Georgia. 
TITLE 
II—ADDITIONAL 
MEAS-
URES 
TO 
SUPPORT 
THE 
GEORGIAN PEOPLE 
SEC. 201. STATEMENT OF POLICY IN SUPPORT OF THE 
GEORGIAN PEOPLE. 
It is the policy of the United States— 
(1) to continue supporting the ongoing develop-
ment of democratic values in Georgia, including free 
and fair elections, freedom of association, an inde-
pendent and accountable judiciary, an independent 
media, public-sector transparency and accountability, 
the rule of law, countering malign influence, and 
anticorruption efforts; 
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(2) to support the sovereignty, independence, 
and territorial integrity of Georgia within its inter-
nationally recognized borders; 
(3) to continue to support the Georgian people 
and civil society organizations that reflect the aspi-
rations of the Georgian people for democracy and a 
future with the people of Europe; 
(4) to continue supporting the capacity of the 
Government of Georgia to protect its sovereignty 
and territorial integrity from further Russian ag-
gression or encroachment; 
(5) to support domestic and international ef-
forts, including polling, pre-election and election-day 
observation efforts, to support the execution of free 
and fair elections in Georgia in October 2024; 
(6) to continue supporting the right of the 
Georgian people to freely engage in peaceful protest, 
determine their future, and make independent and 
sovereign choices on foreign and security policy, in-
cluding regarding Georgia’s relationship with other 
countries and international organizations, without 
interference, intimidation, or coercion by other coun-
tries or those acting on their behalf; and 
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(7) to underscore the unwavering bipartisan 
support from Congress in supporting the democratic 
aspirations of the Georgian people. 
SEC. 202. DEMOCRACY AND RULE-OF-LAW PROGRAMMING. 
(a) STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING EFFECT OF 
NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA.—It is the policy of 
the United States to undertake efforts, in partnership with 
the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights 
of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Eu-
rope, to ensure that the national elections in Georgia that 
are scheduled to be held in October 2024 are conducted 
in a manner that is free, fair, and reflective of the will 
of the Georgian people and show evidence of a broader 
and sustainable democratic trajectory. 
(b) FUNDING.—From the amounts appropriated to 
the Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia ac-
count under the Department of State, Foreign Operations, 
and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, or under 
the comparable appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025, 
not less than $50,000,000 shall be made available— 
(1) to strengthen democracy and civil society in 
Georgia, including for transparency, independent 
media, rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, coun-
tering malign influence, and good governance initia-
tives; and 
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(2) to support the Georgian people’s efforts to 
advance their aspirations for membership in the Eu-
ropean Union and Euro-Atlantic integration. 
(c) REVIEW OF SUPPORT.—In response to the pas-
sage of the foreign agents law, the Secretary and the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development shall undertake a review of efforts to deter-
mine— 
(1) how best to continue providing support to 
civil society and independent media organizations in 
Georgia; and 
(2) whether additional funds should be allocated 
to the National Endowment for Democracy for ini-
tiatives in Georgia. 
SEC. 203. REPORT ON DISINFORMATION AND CORRUPTION 
IN GEORGIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordi-
nation with such agencies as the Secretary considers rel-
evant, shall submit to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees a report that includes— 
(1) an assessment of efforts within and outside 
of Georgia to spread disinformation within Georgia 
to mischaracterize or undermine the bilateral rela-
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tionships between the United States and Georgia 
and the European Union and Georgia; 
(2) a list of— 
(A) sources that have played an active role 
in advancing disinformation campaigns to erode 
public support for the United States, the Euro-
pean Union, and NATO within Georgia; and 
(B) efforts undertaken by the Government 
of Georgia to sanction actors involved in the 
spread of disinformation that limits its Euro- 
Atlantic aspirations; 
(3) an assessment of the extent to which cor-
rupt actors are undermining the ability of political 
parties and democratic institutions in Georgia to up-
hold and adhere to the principles of transparency 
and good governance; 
(4) a list of policy options to assist the Govern-
ment of Georgia in helping protect democracy and 
the rule of law by punishing bad actors; 
(5) an overview of efforts in Georgia designed— 
(A) to suppress a free and independent 
media; or 
(B) to harass and intimidate civil society; 
(6) a list of actors responsible for— 
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(A) the suppression of a free and inde-
pendent media in Georgia; or 
(B) harassment and intimidation of civil 
society in Georgia; 
(7) an assessment of— 
(A) the Russian Federation’s influence and 
information operations in Georgia; and 
(B) connections between the influence and 
operations described in subparagraph (A) and 
the broader agenda of the Russian Federation 
in the region; and 
(8) an assessment of— 
(A) the People’s Republic of China’s influ-
ence and information operations in Georgia; 
and 
(B) connections between the influence and 
operations described in subparagraph (A) and 
the broader agenda of the People’s Republic of 
China in the region. 
(b) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form, with a classified 
annex. 
SEC. 204. REPORT ON POLITICAL PRISONERS IN GEORGIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordi-
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nation with relevant Federal agencies, as determined by 
the Secretary, shall submit a report to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representativesa that in-
cludes— 
(1) a list of prisoners within the Georgian pris-
on system that the Department of State considers to 
be imprisoned for political reasons or otherwise 
wrongfully detained, especially those who have been 
detained since March 2024; and 
(2) a description of efforts to work with Geor-
gian authorities to advocate for the release of such 
prisoners. 
(b) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form. 
SEC. 205. SUNSET. 
This Act, except for section 104, shall cease to have 
any force or effect beginning on the date that is 5 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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