Senate Bill on Georgia Sanctions to Get More Co-Sponsors

A Senate bill that would sanction Republic of Georgia officials for corruption, human rights abuses and anti-democratic efforts has gained additional support, said a spokesperson for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who introduced the bill in May.

When Congress reconvenes in November, the number of co-sponsors for the Georgian People's Act is expected to double to 18, the spokesperson said last week. The new co-sponsors will be Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah; Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; John Cornyn, R-Texas; Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska; Angus King, I-Maine; Todd Young, R-Ind.; Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; and George Helmy, D-N.J.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was supposed to mark up the bill in September but postponed the meeting without explanation (see 2409250033).