Boise City Wire

On May 14, 2024, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) issued a joint statement condemning the passage of a Russian-style foreign agents bill in Georgia. The senators expressed their profound disappointment at the development, stating that it marked a dark day for Georgian democracy.

"This is a dark day for Georgian democracy. We are profoundly disappointed by the Georgian parliament’s passage of a Russian-style foreign agents bill," the senators said in their statement. They noted that this legislation, which compels organizations receiving more than 20% of their budgets from overseas to register as foreign agents, would not only limit free speech but also hinder democratic progress in Georgia.

The senators warned that the enactment of this law would necessitate a shift in U.S. policy towards Georgia to reflect the altered political landscape. "As we warned in our letter to Prime Minister Kobakhidze, passage of this bill will require Congress to consider a shift in U.S. policy toward Georgia to reflect the new political landscape in Georgia," they cautioned.

Potential measures could include sanctions on those responsible for undermining democracy, visa bans, and reconsideration of direct U.S. aid. Despite these developments, the senators reaffirmed their support for the Georgian people and their aspirations for EU membership.

Last month, Senators Risch and Shaheen had sent a bipartisan letter to the prime minister of Georgia following the re-introduction of this bill urging the government to reconsider it. Both senators had previously participated as election monitors in Georgia in 2012.