New MEGOBARI Act Ties US Aid to Georgia’s Democracy, Authorizes Sanctions on Corrupt Officials

The MEGOBARI Act—officially the Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act—is a clear signal from the U.S. that its relationship with the country of Georgia is now conditional. Essentially, this bill puts the brakes on the current partnership until the Georgian government proves it’s serious about democracy and its stated goal of joining the European Union (EU) and NATO. Key to the bill is Section 3, which mandates the Secretary of State suspend the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia upholds its constitutional promise to move toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

The Sanctions Hammer: Who Gets Hit?

If you’re a Georgian official, this is the section that matters most. Section 6 grants the President power to impose targeted sanctions—meaning asset freezes and travel bans—on specific individuals. This isn’t a blanket punishment; it’s aimed directly at current or former Members of Parliament, senior political party officials, and law enforcement or judicial leaders who have knowingly engaged in "significant corruption" or used violence and intimidation to block Georgia’s Western integration. This focus makes it clear the U.S. is targeting specific bad actors, not the country as a whole. The sanctions also cover immediate family members if they benefited from the official's misconduct, which is a common way to close loopholes when dealing with international corruption.

Strategy and Surveillance: What the US Wants to Know

This bill isn't just about punishment; it’s about better intelligence and long-term planning. Section 5 requires two major reports. First, within 180 days, the State Department, Defense Department, and Director of National Intelligence must deliver a classified report to Congress detailing the depth of Russian intelligence infiltration in Georgia, including a special annex on Chinese influence. Second, within 90 days, the State Department and USAID must create a detailed 5-year strategy for the U.S.-Georgia relationship. This strategy must assess whether Georgia should continue to be the second-largest recipient of U.S. funding in the Europe and Eurasia region, tying future aid directly to Georgia’s commitment to democratic reforms and fighting Russian aggression.

The Carrot and the Stick: Conditional Assistance

While the sanctions are the stick, Section 7 offers a significant carrot. The bill states that if the President certifies to Congress that Georgia has made “meaningful and ongoing progress” toward democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration—specifically noting the need to revise its controversial "foreign influence law"—then the U.S. will step up. This includes enhancing people-to-people exchanges and, crucially, increasing military cooperation and providing defense equipment specifically useful for defending against Russia. This sets up a clear transactional relationship: reform equals security assistance.

The Fine Print: Sunset Clause and Waivers

For those who worry about permanent policies, Section 8 provides a built-in expiration date: the entire MEGOBARI Act automatically sunsets and disappears five years after it becomes law. This means Congress will have to actively renew the policy if they want it to continue. However, it’s important to note the President has broad discretion under Section 6 to waive any sanctions if they report to Congress that it serves U.S. national security interests. While this waiver power provides flexibility in complex diplomatic situations, it also means the President could potentially bypass the sanctions on key figures if deemed necessary for other strategic goals, even if those individuals meet the criteria for corruption.