Corrupt Ivanishvili and his Georgian Nightmare party are turning Georgia into a Russian colony, - US Congressman Steve Cohen said.

U.S. Helsinki Chairman Congressman Joe Wilson, Ranking Member Congressman Steve Cohen, Congressman Richard Hudson and Congressman Marc Veasey re-introduced the bipartisan Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence (MEGOBARI) Act. This vital legislation aims to bolster democratic practices, human rights, and the rule of law in the Republic of Georgia, reaffirming the United States' commitment to supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and countering the influence of authoritarian regimes, particularly Russia.

"In the Georgian language, ‘megobari’ means ‘friend,’ and this bill reflects the powerful friendship and partnership between the United States and the Georgian people," said Chairman Wilson. "The Ivanishvili regime seeks to undermine Georgian freedom. I stand with the Georgian people and the legitimate President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili in their call for free and fair elections. This bill provides Georgian Dream officials with a choice to abandon the would-be dictator Ivanishvili or face sanctions. There is still time to save Georgia’s sovereignty!"

“Corrupt Ivanishvili and his Georgian Nightmare party are turning Georgia into a Russian colony. Regime thugs are cracking down and imprisoning protestors, who demand free and fair elections as independent observers call the late October elections fundamentally flawed. The Georgian people demand a return to a transatlantic path and we need to help them. The MEGOBARI Act provides that help, mandating sanctions on Putin’s pawns and promising a deepened relationship should Georgian democracy and sovereignty be restored,” said Ranking Member Cohen.

“Vladimir Putin is an evil dictator who will do whatever it takes to undermine democracy in Georgia, and there must be consequences,” said Congressman Hudson. “This bill reinforces the United States’ support of the Georgian people’s democratic aspirations and makes clear that we will not tolerate attacks on their freedom.”

“The United States and Congress stand firmly with the people of Georgia. Our friendship with Georgia is at a critical juncture, and its people are bravely fighting for their freedom,” said Congressman Veasey. “The MEGOBARI Act is more crucial now than ever—an essential act of support to help our allies in Georgia secure their future and protect their freedoms.”