US House of Representatives approves bill that recommends assistance for Georgia

The US House of Representatives has approved the bill submitted by the House Committee on Appropriations on state, foreign operations, and related programs for the current fiscal year, which recommends assistance for Georgia.

According to the Committee press release, the bill was adopted by 224 votes, while 189 voted against it.

The document recommends not less than $132,025,000 be made available from funds for assistance for Georgia, but it also says that the allocation of 15 % may be suspended until the Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government of Georgia is taking effective steps to strengthen democratic institutions, combat corruption and ensure that the rule of law in the private sector is consistent with internationally recognized standards.

The bill also notes that the withholding of funds doesn't apply to programs that support "democracy, the rule of law, civil society and the media, or programs to reduce gender-based violence and to protect vulnerable populations".