MEGOBARI Act

The Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence (MEGOBARI) Act aims to address democratic backsliding in the nation of Georgia. The bill proposes a comprehensive review of U.S.-Georgia relations and would require the President to impose sanctions, such as travel bans and asset freezes, on Georgian officials and individuals determined to be undermining democratic processes, engaging in corruption, or facilitating foreign influence from Russia, China, or Iran. It specifically targets those responsible for implementing restrictive laws or suppressing civil society and peaceful protests.

Beyond punitive measures, the legislation seeks to bolster Georgia's democratic institutions and its path toward joining the European Union and NATO. It proposes the creation of a Democracy Monitoring Task Force to ensure fair elections and calls for increased support for independent media and civil society. If the Georgian government demonstrates a return to democratic principles, the bill outlines potential incentives, including expanded military cooperation, enhanced trade relations, and more flexible visa policies for Georgian citizens. For U.S. citizens, the bill represents a strategic effort to maintain regional stability and counter authoritarian expansion in the Caucasus.