MEGOBARI Act
Sponsored By: Senator Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
In Committee
Summary
Centers U.S. policy on helping Georgia join the EU and NATO while pressing for democratic reforms and protecting its sovereignty. The bill would tie increased U.S. support to measurable democratic and Euro‑Atlantic progress and create targeted sanctions for foreign actors who undermine Georgia.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
More exchanges and defense ties
If enacted and the President certifies Georgia has made sustained democratic progress, the bill would direct the State Department to expand people‑to‑people and academic exchanges. The President and Defense Secretary would be directed to maintain and could expand military cooperation. This could include defense equipment, training, maintenance, and operations support suited to territorial defense.
Mandatory findings, reports, and rules
If enacted, the President must decide within 90 days whether named categories of Georgian officials or their family members engaged in corruption or acts blocking Euro‑Atlantic integration. The bill would require an unclassified report within 180 days listing identified persons, dates, and reasons. The President must also write implementing regulations within 120 days and notify Congress 10 days before issuing them.
Sanctions tools, visas, and waivers
If enacted, the bill would let the President block property of named foreign persons in the U.S. and bar named aliens from visas and entry. Visa cancellations would take effect immediately. It would also allow the President to grant case-by-case waivers, sometimes renewable for up to 180 days, with a 15-day congressional notice. Any sanctions would end if the President certifies the person stopped the conduct or when the law sunsets five years after enactment.
Who counts under sanctions
If enacted, the bill would define who is a 'foreign person' and who is a 'United States person.' It would list U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, entities formed under U.S. law, and people in the United States. The law would also adopt the Immigration and Nationality Act definition for "immediate family members." These definitions would decide who may be sanctioned and who may be exempted.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov