,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ddbe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #bc1 #bjbd,mrs4 ,shaheen 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,risch1 ,mr4 ,cardin1 ,mr4 ,ricketts1 ,mr4 ,graham1 and ,mr4 ,coons7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to support democracy and the rule of law in ,georgia1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short titles2 table of contents 7a7 ,short titles ,this ,act may be cited as the ,georgian ,people's ,act or the ,,gpa ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short titles2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,findings4,sec4 #c4 ,statement of policy4,sec4 #d4 ,definitions4,,title ,i--,conditions on engagement with ,government of ,georgia,subtitle ,a--,sanctions,sec4 #aja4 ,definitions4,sec4 #ajb4 ,statement of policy4,sec4 #ajc4 ,inadmissibility of officials of ,government of ,georgia and certain other individuals involved in blocking ,euro-,atlantic integration4,sec4 #ajd4 ,imposition of sanctions with respect to undermining peace1 security1 stability1 sovereignty1 or territorial integrity of ,georgia4,sec4 #aje4 ,sanctions with respect to broader corruption in ,georgia4,sec4 #ajf4 ,exceptions4,subtitle ,b--,improving bilateral relations with ,georgia,sec4 #aaa4 ,united ,states strategy toward ,georgia4,sec4 #aab4 ,report on review of foreign assistance to ,georgia4,sec4 #aac4 ,sense of ,congress regarding suspension of ,united ,states-,georgia strategic dialogue4,sec4 #aad4 ,defense cooperation with ,georgia4,,title ,,ii--,additional measures to support the ,georgian people,sec4 #bja4 ,statement of policy in support of the ,georgian people4,sec4 #bjb4 ,democracy and rule-of-law programming4,sec4 #bjc4 ,report on disinformation and corruption in ,georgia4,sec4 #bjd4 ,report on political prisoners in ,georgia4,sec4 #bje4 ,sunset4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,on ,april #i1 #aiia1 the ,republic of ,georgia declared independence from the ,soviet ,union1 and on ,march #bd1 #aiib1 the ,united ,states and ,georgia established formal diplomatic relations4 7#b7 ,since #aiic1 the territorial integrity of ,georgia has been reaffirmed by the international community and numerous ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions4 7#c7 ,at the #bjjh ,summit in ,bucharest1 ,,nato recognized the aspirations of ,georgia to join ,,nato and committed that ,georgia would become a member of the ,alliance4 7#d7 ,on ,august #g1 #bjjh1 the ,russian ,federation invaded ,georgia and thereafter occupied #bj percent of its territory1 all of which it continues to occupy4 7#e7 ,on ,january #i1 #bjji1 the ,united ,states and ,georgia signed the ,united ,states-,georgia ,charter on ,strategic ,partnership1 affirming the close relationship between the ,united ,states and ,georgia based on the shared principles of democracy1 free markets1 defense and security cooperation1 and cultural exchanges4 7#f7 ,georgia made significant contributions to the wars in ,iraq and ,afghanistan and was the largest troop contributor among ,,nato partners to the ,,nato-led ,resolute ,support ,mission in ,afghanistan4 7#g7 ,the ,united ,states and ,georgia have maintained a strong security partnership1 including the ,u4,s4-,georgia ,security ,cooperation ,framework1 signed in ,november #bjai1 and the ,georgia ,defense and ,deterrence ,enhancement ,initiative1 launched in ,october #bjba4 7#h7 ,the ,united ,states supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of ,georgia within its internationally recognized borders and condemns the continued occupation by ,russia of the ,georgian regions of ,south ,ossetia and ,abkhazia4 7#i7 ,the ,united ,states has continuously supported the democratic wishes of the ,georgian people1 who have long maintained their aspirations to join the ,european ,union and ,,nato4 7#aj7 ,during and following her tenure as ,united ,states ,ambassador and ,plenipotentiary to ,georgia between #bjbj and #bjbc1 ,kelly ,degnan has been the subject of slander and verbal abuse from members of the ,government of ,georgia4 7#aa7 ,as recently as ,october #bjbc1 reputable polling indicates that #hf percent of the ,georgian public support ,georgia becoming a member of the ,european ,union4 7#ab7 ,since ,russia's full-scale invasion of ,ukraine in ,february #bjbb1 ,georgia-- 7,a7 has not imposed its own sanctions on ,russia2 and 7,b7 has increased economic ties1 including initiating many direct flights to and from ,russia2 7,c7 has eased visa requirements for ,russians visiting ,georgia2 and 7,d7 is perceived as a conduit of ,russia's sanctions evasion endeavors4 7#ac7 ,since ,russia's full-scale invasion of ,ukraine in ,february #bjbb1 and the subsequent rounds of international sanctions placed on ,russia as a result of such invasion1 ,georgia saw its trade with ,russia grow by #cd percent between ,january and ,june #bjbc4 7#ad7 ,georgia's geographic position as both a ,black ,sea littoral nation and its proximity to the ,caspian ,sea could further strengthen ,georgia's economy by transporting natural gas through the ,trans-,caspian ,gas ,pipeline ,project4 7#ae7 ,in ,june #bjbb1 when the ,governments of ,ukraine and ,moldova received candidate status for membership in the ,european ,union1 the ,european ,council stated it would only be ready to grant ,georgia candidate status once the country has addressed the #ab priorities outlined by the ,european ,commission4 7#af7 ,in ,december #bjbc1 the ,european ,union granted ,georgia the status of candidate country1 with the understanding that ,georgia would act consistent with the recommendations of the ,european ,commission by continuing to advance the outlined reform priorities and increasing its alignment with the ,european ,union's foreign and security policy positions4 7#ag7 ,on ,february #bd1 #bjbc1 a foreign agents bill was introduced in the ,parliament of ,georgia-- 7,a7 to impose restrictions on civil society organizations1 nongovernmental organizations1 and independent media organizations2 and 7,b7 to stigmatize such organizations as foreign agents4 7#ah7 ,on ,march #g1 #bjbc1 the ,parliament of ,georgia accelerated the passage of that bill1 which led to-- 7,a7 large-scale protests that ,georgian authorities confronted by deploying tear gas and water cannons2 and 7,b7 the withdrawal of the bill by the ,parliament4 7#ai7 ,on ,april #ae1 #bjbd1 the foreign agents bill1 which was renamed the ,law on ,transparency of ,foreign ,influence1 was reintroduced in the ,parliament of ,georgia with minor changes that did not reflect the express wishes of the ,georgian people1 which provoked-- 7,a7 large-scale protests in ,tbilisi and around the country2 and 7,b7 the ejection of opposition parliamentarians from parliamentary hearings4 7#bj7 ,on ,april #bi1 #bjbd1 former ,georgian ,prime ,minister ,bidzina ,ivanishvili1 who is currently the ,honorary ,chairman of the ruling ,georgian ,dream ,party1 gave a speech in which he-- 7,a7 harshly attacked ,american and ,european partners2 7,b7 alleged that the goal of foreign funding of civil society and nongovernmental organizations in ,georgia is to deprive ,georgia of its state sovereignty2 and 7,c7 promised to punish opposition political groups4 7#ba7 ,in the face of massive1 nation-wide protests against the foreign agents bill1 ,georgian authorities have1 in some cases1 deployed disproportionate force against largely peaceful protestors1 including-- 7,a7 reportedly attacking journalists covering the protests and members of the political opposition2 and 7,b7 threatening civil society leaders and family members of protestors at their homes4 7#bb7 ,on ,may #ad1 #bjbd1 the ,parliament of ,georgia passed the foreign agents bill against the wishes of the ,georgian people4 7#bc7 ,on ,may #ba1 #bjbd1 the ,venice ,commission issued an opinion regarding ,georgia's foreign influence law in which it strongly recommended repealing the ,law in its current form1 as its fundamental flaws will involve significant negative consequences for the freedoms of association and expression1 the right to privacy1 the right to participate in public affairs as well as the prohibition of discrimination44 #c4 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to call on all political parties and elected ,members of the ,parliament of ,georgia to continue working on addressing the reform plan outlined by the ,european ,commission to advance ,georgia's recently granted candidate status1 which the people of ,georgia have freely elected to pursue2 7#b7 to call on the ,government of ,georgia to institute the required reforms1 which are to be developed through an inclusive and transparent consultation process with opposition parties and civil society organizations2 7#c7 to express serious concern that impediments to strengthening the democratic institutions and processes of ,georgia1 including the foreign agents bill1 will slow or halt ,georgia's progress toward achieving its ,euro-,atlantic aspirations1 be perceived as stagnating the democratic trajectory of ,georgia1 and result in negative domestic and international consequences for the ,government of ,georgia2 7#d7 to impose swift consequences on individuals who are directly responsible for leading or have directly and knowingly engaged in leading1 actions or policies that significantly undermine the peace1 security1 stability1 sovereignty1 or territorial integrity of ,georgia2 7#e7 to emphasize the importance of contributing to international efforts-- 7,a7 to combat ,russian aggression1 including through sanctions on trade with ,russia and the implementation and enforcement of worldwide sanctions on ,russia2 and 7,b7 to reduce1 rather than increase1 trade ties between ,georgia and ,russia2 7#f7 to call on all political parties1 elected ,members of the ,parliament of ,georgia1 and officers of the ,ministry of ,internal ,affairs of ,georgia to respect the freedoms of peaceful assembly1 association1 and expression1 including for the press1 and the rule of law1 and encourage a vibrant and inclusive civil society2 7#g7 to call on the ,government of ,georgia to release all persons detained or imprisoned on politically motivated grounds and drop any pending charges against them2 7#h7 to call on the ,government of ,georgia to ensure that the national elections scheduled for ,october #bjbd are free1 fair1 and reflective of the will of the ,georgian people2 and 7#i7 to continue impressing upon the ,government of ,georgia that the ,united ,states is committed to sustaining and deepening bilateral relations and supporting ,georgia's ,euro-,atlantic aspirations4 #d4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,foreign agents bill ,the term foreign agents bill means the ,on ,transparency of ,foreign ,influence bill1 which was reintroduced in the ,parliament of ,georgia in ,april #bjbd4 7#c7 ,georgia ,the term ,georgia means the ,republic of ,georgia4 7#d7 ,,nato ,the term ,,nato means the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization4 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,state4 ,i ,conditions on engagement with ,government of ,georgia ,a ,sanctions #aja4 ,definitions ,in this subtitle3 7#a7 ,admission2 admitted2 alien ,the terms admission1 admitted1 and alien have the meanings given such terms in section #aja of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja74 7#b7 ,appropriate committees of congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#c7 ,foreign person ,the term foreign person means any individual or entity that is not a ,united ,states person4 7#d7 ,immediate family members ,the term immediate family members has the meaning given the term immediate relatives in section #bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abja7;b77#b77;,a77i774 7#e7 ,knowingly ,the term knowingly1 with respect to conduct1 a circumstance1 or a result1 means that a person has actual knowledge1 or should have known1 of the conduct1 the circumstance1 or the result4 7#f7 ,united states person ,the term ,united ,states person means-- 7,a7 a ,united ,states citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the ,united ,states2 7,b7 an entity organized under the laws of the ,united ,states or any jurisdiction within the ,united ,states1 including a foreign branch of such an entity2 or 7,c7 any person within the ,united ,states4 #ajb4 ,statement of policy 7a7 ,in general ,it shall be the policy of the ,united ,states to support the constitutionally stated aspirations of ,georgia to become a member of the ,european ,union and the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization1 which-- 7#a7 is made clear under ,article #gh of the ,constitution of ,georgia2 and 7#b7 is supported by #hf percent of the citizens of ,georgia4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 acts of blocking ,euro-,atlantic integration in ,georgia1 due to undue influence from corrupt or oligarchic forces1 constitute a form of corruption2 7#b7 the ,united ,states should consider travel restrictions or sanctions on individuals responsible for any actions preventing ,georgia from moving toward ,euro-,atlantic integration1 which include acts of violence or intimidation against ,georgian citizens1 members of civil society1 and members of an opposition political party2 7#c7 the ,united ,states1 in response to recent events in ,georgia1 should reassess whether recent actions undertaken by individuals in ,georgia should result in the imposition of sanctions by the ,united ,states for acts of significant corruption and human rights abuses2 and 7#d7 the ,united ,states should consider revoking the visas of nationals of ,georgia and their family members who-- 7,a7 live in the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 are determined to meet the criteria described in section #ajc7;a74 #ajc4 ,inadmissibility of officials of ,government of ,georgia and certain other individuals involved in blocking ,euro-,atlantic integration 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall identify and make a determination as to whether any of the following foreign persons has knowingly engaged in significant acts of corruption1 or acts of violence or intimidation in relation to the blocking of ,euro-,atlantic integration in ,georgia3 7#a7 ,any individual who1 on or after ,january #a1 #bjab1 has served as a member of the ,parliament of the ,government of ,georgia1 as a senior staff member of the ,parliament of the ,government of ,georgia1 or as a current or former senior official of a ,georgian political party4 7#b7 ,any individual who is serving as an official in a leadership position working on behalf of the ,government of ,georgia1 including law enforcement1 intelligence1 judicial1 or local or municipal government4 7#c7 ,an immediate family member of an official described in paragraph 7#a7 or a person described in paragraph 7#b74 7b7 ,current visas revoked 7#a7 ,in general ,the visa or other entry documentation of any alien described in subsection 7a7 is subject to immediate revocation regardless of the issue date of such visa or documentation4 7#b7 ,immediate effect ,a revocation of a visa or other entry documentation of any alien pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall1 in accordance with section #bba7;i7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abja7;i77-- 7,a7 take effect immediately2 and 7,b7 cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the possession of such alien4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit a written report to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives that-- 7#a7 lists any foreign person for whom the ,secretary has determined has knowingly engaged in an activity described in subsection 7a72 and 7#b7 a detailed justification for each such positive determination4 7d7 ,form ,the report required under subsection 7c7 shall be submitted in accordance with the reporting requirements outlined in #gjca7;c7 of the ,department of ,state1 ,foreign ,operations1 and ,related ,appropriations ,act1 #bjbd 7division ,f of ,public ,law #aah-dg2 #h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahb note74 7e7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive the application of subsection 7a7 if the ,secretary determines that-- 7#a7 such waiver would serve a compelling national interest2 or 7#b7 the circumstances which caused the individual to be ineligible have sufficiently changed4 #ajd4 ,imposition of sanctions with respect to undermining peace1 security1 stability1 sovereignty1 or territorial integrity of ,georgia 7a7 ,in general ,the sanctions described in subsection 7b7 shall be applied to any foreign person the ,president determines1 on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act-- 7#a7 is responsible for1 complicit in1 or has directly or indirectly engaged in or attempted to engage in1 actions or policies1 including ordering1 controlling1 or otherwise directing acts that are intended to undermine the peace1 security1 stability1 sovereignty1 or territorial integrity of ,georgia2 7#b7 is or has been a leader or official of an entity that has1 or whose members have1 engaged in any activity described in paragraph 7#a72 or 7#c7 is an immediate family member of a person subject to sanctions for conduct described in paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 who benefitted from such conduct4 7b7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions described in this subsection are the following3 7#a7 ,blocking of property ,notwithstanding the requirements under section #bjb of the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja71 the ,president shall exercise all authorities granted under the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq47 to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests in property of a foreign person subject to subsection 7a7 if such property and interests in property are in the ,united ,states1 come within the ,united ,states1 or are or come within the possession or control of a ,united ,states person4 7#b7 ,ineligibility for visas1 admission1 or parole 7,a7 ,visas1 admission1 or parole ,an alien described in subsection 7a7 shall be-- 7i7 inadmissible to the ,united ,states2 7ii7 ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the ,united ,states2 and 7iii7 otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the ,united ,states or to receive any other benefit under the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja et seq474 7,b7 ,current visas revoked 7i7 ,in general ,the visa or other entry documentation of any alien described in subsection 7a7 is subject to revocation regardless of the issue date of the visa or other entry documentation4 7ii7 ,immediate effect ,a revocation under clause 7i7 shall1 in accordance with section #bba7;i7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abja7;i77-- 7,i7 take effect immediately2 and 7,,ii7 cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the possession of the alien4 7c7 ,waiver ,the ,president may waive the application of sanctions under this section with respect to a foreign person for renewable periods not to exceed #ahj days if1 not later than #ae days before the date on which such waiver is to take effect1 the ,president submits to the appropriate committees of ,congress a written determination and justification that the waiver is in the national security interests of the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,implementation2 penalties 7#a7 ,implementation ,the ,president may exercise all authorities provided under sections #bjc and #bje of the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agjb and #agjd7 to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,penalties ,a person that violates1 attempts to violate1 conspires to violate1 or causes a violation of subsection 7b77#a7 or any regulation1 license1 or order issued under that subsection shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections 7b7 and 7c7 of section #bjf of the ,international ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agje7 to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection 7a7 of that section4 7#c7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this ,act1 or in any amendment made by this ,act1 may be construed to limit the authority of the ,president to designate or sanction persons pursuant to an applicable ,executive order or otherwise pursuant to the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq474 7e7 ,rulemaking 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary for the implementation of this section4 7#b7 ,notification to congress ,not later than #aj days before prescribing regulations pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 the ,president shall notify the appropriate committees of ,congress of the proposed regulations and the provisions of this section that the regulations are implementing4 7f7 ,termination of sanctions ,any sanctions imposed on a foreign person pursuant to this section shall terminate on the earlier of-- 7#a7 the date on which the ,president certifies to the appropriate committees of ,congress that the conditions requiring such sanctions no longer apply2 or 7#b7 ,december #ca1 #bjbi4 7g7 ,sunset ,this section shall cease to be effective on ,december #ca1 #bjbi4 #aje4 ,sanctions with respect to broader corruption in ,georgia 7a7 ,determination and report required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report that includes-- 7,a7 a list of all foreign persons about whom the ,secretary has made a positive determination pursuant to section #ajc7;a72 and 7,b7 a determination as to whether any foreign person on the list described in subparagraph 7,a7 qualifies under existing sanctions authorities described in subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,form of report ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall be provided in unclassified form1 but a classified annex may be provided separately containing additional contextual information pertaining to the justification for the issuance of any waiver1 as described in paragraph 7#a77;,b77iii74 7b7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions described in this subsection are sanctions applicable with respect to a person for acts of significant corruption1 involvement in human rights abuses1 or harmful foreign activities in ,georgia under-- 7#a7 ,executive ,order #adjbd 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja note2 relating to blocking property of certain persons with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the ,government of the ,russian ,federation72 or 7#b7 ,executive ,order #achah 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja note2 relating to blocking the property of persons involved in serious human rights abuse or corruption74 7c7 ,congressional oversight ,not later than #abj days after receiving a request from the chairman and ranking member of the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate or of the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives with respect to whether a foreign person meets meet the criteria for the imposition of sanctions described in subsection 7b71 the ,president shall-- 7#a7 determine if the person meets such criteria2 and 7#b7 submit a written justification to such chairman and ranking member detailing whether the ,president imposed or intends to impose sanctions described in this section with respect to such person4 #ajf4 ,exceptions 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,agricultural commodity ,the term agricultural commodity has the meaning given such term in section #ajb of the ,agricultural ,trade ,act of #aigh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #efjb74 7#b7 ,good ,the term good means any article1 natural or man-made substance1 material1 supply1 or manufactured product1 including inspection and test equipment and excluding technical data4 7#c7 ,medical device ,the term medical device has the meaning given the term device in section #bja of the ,federal ,food1 ,drug1 and ,cosmetic ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #cba74 7#d7 ,medicine ,the term medicine has the meaning given the term drug in section #bja of the ,federal ,food1 ,drug1 and ,cosmetic ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #cba74 7b7 ,exceptions 7#a7 ,exception relating to intelligence activities ,sanctions under this ,act shall not apply to-- 7,a7 any activity subject to the reporting requirements under title ,v of the ,national ,security ,act of #aidg 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #cjia et seq472 or 7,b7 any authorized intelligence activities of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,exception to comply with international obligations and law enforcement activities ,sanctions under this ,act shall not apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling such alien into the ,united ,states is necessary-- 7,a7 to permit the ,united ,states to comply with the ,agreement regarding the ,headquarters of the ,united ,nations1 signed at ,lake ,success ,june #bf1 #aidg1 and entered into force ,november #ba1 #aidg1 between the ,united ,nations and the ,united ,states1 or other applicable international obligations of the ,united ,states2 or 7,b7 to carry out or assist authorized law enforcement activity in the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,exception relating to importation of goods ,the requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property under this ,act shall not include the authority or a requirement to impose sanctions on the importation of goods4 7#d7 ,humanitarian assistance ,sanctions under this ,act shall not apply to-- 7,a7 the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the provision of agricultural commodities1 food1 medicine1 medical devices1 or humanitarian assistance1 or for humanitarian purposes2 or 7,b7 transactions that are necessary for1 or related to1 the activities described in subparagraph 7,a74 ,b ,improving bilateral relations with ,georgia #aaa4 ,united ,states strategy toward ,georgia 7a7 ,statement of policy on ,georgia ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to express that if the ,government of ,georgia proceeds to pass the foreign agents law and other legislation further inhibiting its ability to advance its accession into the ,european ,union-- 7,a7 the ,united ,states ,government's policy toward ,georgia should take into consideration these updated circumstances2 and 7,b7 the ,united ,states should review all forms of foreign and security assistance made available to the ,government of ,georgia2 and 7#b7 to reevaluate its policy toward the ,government of ,georgia if the ,government of ,georgia takes the required steps-- 7,a7 to reorient itself toward its ,european ,union accession agenda2 and 7,b7 to advance policy or legislation reflecting the express wishes of the ,georgian people4 7b7 #e-,year ,united ,states strategy for bilateral relations with ,georgia ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 in coordination with the heads of other relevant ,federal departments and agencies1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed strategy which shall-- 7#a7 outline specific objectives for enhancing bilateral ties which reflect the current domestic political environment in ,georgia2 7#b7 determine what tools1 resources1 and funding should be available and assess whether ,georgia should remain the second-highest recipient of ,united ,states funding in the ,europe and ,eurasia region2 7#c7 determine the extent to which the ,united ,states should continue to invest in its defense partnership with ,georgia2 7#d7 explore how the ,united ,states can continue to support civil society and independent media organizations in ,georgia2 and 7#e7 determine whether the ,government of ,georgia remains committed to expanding trade ties with the ,united ,states and ,europe and whether the ,united ,states ,government should continue to invest in ,georgian projects4 #aab4 ,report on review of foreign assistance to ,georgia 7a7 ,report required ,not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,,usaid ,administrator and other relevant ,federal agencies1 shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that outlines all assistance provided by any ,united ,states ,government agency to the ,government of ,georgia that are not explicitly focused on democracy or rule of law and shall include-- 7#a7 a detailed overview of each project2 and 7#b7 associated funding allocations1 including projected funding for each project4 7b7 ,suspension of projects ,not later than #fj days after the date on which the report required under subsection 7a7 is submitted1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 suspend all projects in ,georgia carried out by the ,department of ,state or other ,united ,states ,government agencies that primarily provide material aid1 reputational advantage1 or sustenance to state actors1 officials1 or their proxies who undermine the democracy of ,georgia and enable ,russian aggression within and outside of ,georgia2 and 7#b7 consult with the appropriate congressional committees before any programming actions are taken in response to such review4 7c7 ,use of funds 7#a7 ,reprogramming ,the ,secretary may reprogram any amounts that cannot be absorbed to support democracy and rule-of-law initiatives in ,georgia to other initiatives taking place in other countries in the ,europe and ,eurasia region after notifying the appropriate congressional committees4 7#b7 ,limitation ,no amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by the ,act entitled ,an ,act ,making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending ,september #cj1 #bjbd1 and for other purposes1 approved ,april #bd1 #bjbd 7,public ,law #aah-ej7 may be obligated or expended for any assistance to ,georgia unless the ,secretary certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that-- 7,a7 such obligation or expenditure is in the vital national security interest of the ,united ,states2 or 7,b7 the ,government of ,georgia is taking measures-- 7i7 to represent the democratic wishes of the citizens of ,georgia2 and 7ii7 to uphold its constitutional obligation to advance membership in the ,european ,union and ,,nato4 #aac4 ,sense of ,congress regarding suspension of ,united ,states-,georgia strategic dialogue ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,secretary should suspend the ,united ,states-,georgia ,strategic ,partnership ,commission1 established through the ,united ,states-,georgia ,charter on ,strategic ,partnership on ,january #i1 #bjji1 until after the ,government of ,georgia takes measures-- 7#a7 to represent the democratic wishes of the citizens of ,georgia2 and 7#b7 to uphold its constitutional obligation to advance the country towards membership in the ,european ,union and ,,nato4 #aad4 ,defense cooperation with ,georgia 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 is proud of the strong defense relationship between the ,united ,states and ,georgia1 which was-- 7,a7 cemented in #bjjb through a ,defense ,cooperation ,agreement2 and 7,b7 further enhanced in ,october #bjba by the ,georgia ,defense and ,deterrence ,enhancement ,initiative4 7#b7 is grateful to the ,georgian ,defense forces for their contributions to international peacekeeping missions1 including-- 7,a7 the ,,nato-led ,kosovo ,force mission2 7,b7 the ,european ,union ,military ,operation in the ,central ,african ,republic2 and 7,c7 its deployment of forces in support of ,united ,states forces in ,iraq from #bjjf to #bjjh2 7#c7 is grateful to the ,georgian ,ministry of ,defense's contributions toward the ,,nato-led ,international ,security ,assistance ,force 7referred to in this section as the ,,isaf7 in ,afghanistan1 whereby-- 7,a7 ,georgia was one of the largest contributors of troops per capita for a non-,,nato country2 and 7,b7 #cb ,georgian soldiers died and #bhj ,georgian soldiers were wounded in support of the ,,isaf mission2 and 7#d7 should1 to the extent possible1 sustain strong ties between the ,united ,states military and the ,georgian ,ministry of ,defense4 7b7 ,defense review ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,defense shall conduct a defense review to determine whether the ,united ,states1 in response to recent political developments in ,georgia1 should continue to support the military needs of ,georgia4 ,,ii ,additional measures to support the ,georgian people #bja4 ,statement of policy in support of the ,georgian people ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to continue supporting the ongoing development of democratic values in ,georgia1 including free and fair elections1 freedom of association1 an independent and accountable judiciary1 an independent media1 public-sector transparency and accountability1 the rule of law1 countering malign influence1 and anticorruption efforts2 7#b7 to support the sovereignty1 independence1 and territorial integrity of ,georgia within its internationally recognized borders2 7#c7 to continue to support the ,georgian people and civil society organizations that reflect the aspirations of the ,georgian people for democracy and a future with the people of ,europe2 7#d7 to continue supporting the capacity of the ,government of ,georgia to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity from further ,russian aggression or encroachment2 7#e7 to support domestic and international efforts1 including polling1 pre-election and election-day observation efforts1 to support the execution of free and fair elections in ,georgia in ,october #bjbd2 7#f7 to continue supporting the right of the ,georgian people to freely engage in peaceful protest1 determine their future1 and make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and security policy1 including regarding ,georgia's relationship with other countries and international organizations1 without interference1 intimidation1 or coercion by other countries or those acting on their behalf2 and 7#g7 to underscore the unwavering bipartisan support from ,congress in supporting the democratic aspirations of the ,georgian people4 #bjb4 ,democracy and rule-of-law programming 7a7 ,statement of policy regarding effect of national elections in ,georgia ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to undertake efforts1 in partnership with the ,office for ,democratic ,institutions and ,human ,rights of the ,organization for ,security and ,co-operation in ,europe1 to ensure that the national elections in ,georgia that are scheduled to be held in ,october #bjbd are conducted in a manner that is free1 fair1 and reflective of the will of the ,georgian people and show evidence of a broader and sustainable democratic trajectory4 7b7 ,funding ,from the amounts appropriated to the ,assistance for ,europe1 ,eurasia and ,central ,asia account under the ,department of ,state1 ,foreign ,operations1 and ,related ,programs ,appropriations ,act1 #bjbd1 or under the comparable appropriations ,act for fiscal year #bjbe1 not less than #ej1jjj1jjj shall be made available-- 7#a7 to strengthen democracy and civil society in ,georgia1 including for transparency1 independent media1 rule of law1 anti-corruption efforts1 countering malign influence1 and good governance initiatives2 and 7#b7 to support the ,georgian people's efforts to advance their aspirations for membership in the ,european ,union and ,euro-,atlantic integration4 7c7 ,review of support ,in response to the passage of the foreign agents law1 the ,secretary and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development shall undertake a review of efforts to determine-- 7#a7 how best to continue providing support to civil society and independent media organizations in ,georgia2 and 7#b7 whether additional funds should be allocated to the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy for initiatives in ,georgia4 #bjc4 ,report on disinformation and corruption in ,georgia 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in coordination with such agencies as the ,secretary considers relevant1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes-- 7#a7 an assessment of efforts within and outside of ,georgia to spread disinformation within ,georgia to mischaracterize or undermine the bilateral relationships between the ,united ,states and ,georgia and the ,european ,union and ,georgia2 7#b7 a list of-- 7,a7 sources that have played an active role in advancing disinformation campaigns to erode public support for the ,united ,states1 the ,european ,union1 and ,,nato within ,georgia2 and 7,b7 efforts undertaken by the ,government of ,georgia to sanction actors involved in the spread of disinformation that limits its ,euro-,atlantic aspirations2 7#c7 an assessment of the extent to which corrupt actors are undermining the ability of political parties and democratic institutions in ,georgia to uphold and adhere to the principles of transparency and good governance2 7#d7 a list of policy options to assist the ,government of ,georgia in helping protect democracy and the rule of law by punishing bad actors2 7#e7 an overview of efforts in ,georgia designed-- 7,a7 to suppress a free and independent media2 or 7,b7 to harass and intimidate civil society2 7#f7 a list of actors responsible for-- 7,a7 the suppression of a free and independent media in ,georgia2 or 7,b7 harassment and intimidation of civil society in ,georgia2 7#g7 an assessment of-- 7,a7 the ,russian ,federation's influence and information operations in ,georgia2 and 7,b7 connections between the influence and operations described in subparagraph 7,a7 and the broader agenda of the ,russian ,federation in the region2 and 7#h7 an assessment of-- 7,a7 the ,people's ,republic of ,china's influence and information operations in ,georgia2 and 7,b7 connections between the influence and operations described in subparagraph 7,a7 and the broader agenda of the ,people's ,republic of ,china in the region4 7b7 ,form ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 with a classified annex4 #bjd4 ,report on political prisoners in ,georgia 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in coordination with relevant ,federal agencies1 as determined by the ,secretary1 shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representativesa that includes-- 7#a7 a list of prisoners within the ,georgian prison system that the ,department of ,state considers to be imprisoned for political reasons or otherwise wrongfully detained1 especially those who have been detained since ,march #bjbd2 and 7#b7 a description of efforts to work with ,georgian authorities to advocate for the release of such prisoners4 7b7 ,form ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form4 #bje4 ,sunset ,this ,act1 except for section #ajd1 shall cease to have any force or effect beginning on the date that is #e years after the date of the enactment of this ,act4