Shaheen to Visit Georgia Following Recent Passage of Foreign Agents Law, Voice Concern about Democratic Backsliding

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Appropriations Committees and Chair of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, is traveling to Georgia to meet with government officials, civil society leaders and others following the passage of the foreign agents law, which Shaheen has condemned, and U.S. action to pause bilateral assistance to the Georgian government, which Shaheen supports. In May, Shaheen introduced the bipartisan Georgian People’s Act to hold Georgian government officials accountable for corruption, human rights abuses and efforts to pass the foreign agents law.  

“As a longtime supporter of Georgia, I have expressed concern following the rapid political shift taking place in the country, which is at odds with the wishes of the Georgian people,” said Shaheen. “During this trip, I look forward to meeting with Georgian government officials to urge action that would put Georgia back on track towards European Union and NATO membership. The United States will continue to support the Georgian people’s desire for a Euro-Atlantic future.” 

On the Congressional delegation visit, Shaheen will meet with the Georgian President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, as well as meet with civil society organizations and visit two USAID projects to meet with internationally displaced persons and children. 

Shaheen’s first visit to Georgia was to participate as an election monitor with U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in 2012. 

Last month, Shaheen and Risch issued a statement welcoming the action by the U.S. State Department to pause $95 million in assistance to the government of Georgia following passage of a foreign agents law. In May, Senators Shaheen, Risch, Cardin, Ricketts, Coons and Graham introduced bipartisan legislation to hold Georgian government officials and individuals responsible for corruption, human rights abuses and efforts to advance the foreign agents law or facilitate its passage. The bill would also enshrine the United States’ enduring support to the Georgian people who overwhelmingly support a more democratic, Euro-Atlantic future. 

Earlier in May, Shaheen and Risch issued a joint statement condemning passage of the foreign agents bill. Prior to the votes in Georgian Parliament, the Senators sent a bipartisan letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia urging the government to reconsider the bill. Shaheen spoke out against the first introduction of the Georgia Dream’s foreign agents law, noting that it resembles laws passed in Russia. In June 2021, Shaheen led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to Eastern Europe, including Georgia and Ukraine. 

Last year, Shaheen, along with Durbin, traveled to Georgia and Romania to meet with heads of state, members of legislature and representatives from civil society to discuss the nations’ bilateral relationships, as well as the geopolitical importance of the Black Sea region. 

In March 2021, Shaheen held a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee hearing on bolstering democracy in Georgia and previously introduced a bipartisan resolution reaffirming U.S. support for a pro-democracy future for Georgia. Senator Shaheen has also successfully led bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate to establish a U.S. policy toward the Black Sea region. 

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