Bill · H.R. 36· House(119-HR-36)
MEGOBARI Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 5/6/2025 — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 70.
- Sponsored by
- Joe Wilson
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 10
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the MEGOBARI Act, aims to counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian Regime, and the Russian Federation in Georgia. It establishes policies to support Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union and NATO while responding to perceived democratic backsliding. The bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions, including property blocking and visa ineligibility, on individuals involved in blocking Euro-Atlantic integration or undermining Georgia's sovereignty. It also requires detailed reports on Russian intelligence assets and a 5-year strategy for bilateral relations. Finally, the Act provides for potential increases in security assistance and people-to-people exchanges upon specific certifications.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 349–42
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
05/05/2025 · Roll call 116 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Democratic Aspirations: The policy supports the constitutional aspirations of the Georgian people to join the European Union and NATO (Section 4, Paragraph 1).
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Protection of Sovereignty: The bill aims to support the Government of Georgia's capacity to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression (Section 4, Paragraph 2).
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Support for Civil Society: The Act seeks to support the Georgian people and civil society organizations that reflect aspirations for democracy and a future with Europe (Section 4, Paragraph 7).
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Protection of Fundamental Freedoms: The policy emphasizes supporting the rights of the Georgian people to engage in peaceful protest and make sovereign choices without interference or intimidation (Section 4, Paragraph 8).
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Humanitarian Protections: Sanctions include exceptions to ensure that transactions for food, medicine, medical devices, or humanitarian assistance are not blocked (Section 6, Paragraph (i)(2)(C)).
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Enhanced Security and Education: The Act suggests enhancing people-to-people contacts, academic exchanges, and expanding military co-operation including security and defense equipment (Section 7, Paragraph (a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Sanctions on Officials and Families: The President is directed to determine if officials, including their immediate family members, have engaged in acts of corruption or violence related to blocking Euro-Atlantic integration, which could lead to sanctions (Section 6, Paragraph (b)).
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Financial and Travel Restrictions: Sanctions may include blocking property and transactions, as well as making individuals inadmissible to the United States or revoking current visas (Section 6, Paragraph (d)).
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Political Consequences: The Secretary of State is encouraged to suspend the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until specific democratic measures are taken by the Government of Georgia (Section 3, Paragraph 6).
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Reevaluation of Aid: The United States may reevaluate and review all forms of foreign and security assistance made available to the Government of Georgia (Section 4, Paragraph 4).
- 5/6/2025
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 70.
- 5/5/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 42 (Roll no. 116). (text: CR H1824-1826)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 42 (Roll no. 116). (text: CR H1824-1826)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1840-1841)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 36.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1823-1828)
- Mr. Mast moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/6/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/31/2025
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- 1/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Robert AderholtRepublican · Alabama
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Gerald ConnollyDemocrat · Virginia
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Richard HudsonRepublican · North Carolina
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
William KeatingDemocrat · Massachusetts
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
James MoylanRepublican · Guam
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Gary PalmerRepublican · Alabama
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
David RouzerRepublican · North Carolina
Michael TurnerRepublican · Ohio
Marc VeaseyDemocrat · Texas
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia