Senators Renew Warning of Possible Sanctions on Georgia

A bipartisan group of 11 senators issued a joint statement May 14 criticizing the Georgian parliament’s passage of a "Russian-style foreign agents bill" and reiterating their warning that Congress may respond with sanctions and other measures.

The new Georgia law, which requires organizations that receive more than 20% of their budgets from overseas to report as foreign agents, “will suppress the important work of civil society in a country where funds are scarce,” the statement says.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Jim Risch, R-Idaho, led the statement, as well as an April letter to Georgia’s prime minister opposing the "foreign agents" bill (see 2405130057). Leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this week said they also may pursue financial sanctions and other measures against Georgia if the country’s government doesn't withdraw the bill (see 2405130057).