Kinzinger, Connolly on the Passing of the Georgia Support Act

Statement

This week, the House of Representatives passed the Georgia Support Act, legislation introduced in February by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the co-chairs of the House Georgia Caucus. The Georgia Support Act asserts the United States of America's continued support for the independence and sovereignty of Georgia, recognizes Georgia's commitment to democratic values including free and fair elections, and affirms U.S. opposition to Russian aggression in the region.

In Georgia's occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia has fomented unrest, aided separatist movements, and committed serious human rights abuses, including ongoing detentions and killings. Russian forces continue to harass civilian communities along the administrative boundary line and impede the right of return of internally displaced persons. The Georgia Support Act bolsters Georgia's territorial integrity by authorizing sanctions against those responsible for or complicit in human rights violations in these occupied territories.

"The Russian aggression we're seeing today on a sovereign nation is not new. We saw it in 2008 when they invaded Georgia, taking lives and valued territory. As Putin's failed campaign in Ukraine continues, we mut show we stand with our allies," Rep. Kinzinger said. "I'm proud to see the Georgia Support Act pass the House this week, and I want to thank my Georgia Caucus co-chair Rep. Connolly for his willingness to work with me in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen our bill for final passage."

"I was proud to reintroduce the Georgia Support Act with my friend and colleague, Adam Kinzinger, and I am thrilled to see it pass the House today," said Rep. Connolly. "Our bill strengthens the vital U.S.-Georgia partnership, a strategically important relationship in a critical part of the world. It demonstrates the United States' robust support of Georgia's sovereignty, continued democratic development, and security, especially in the face of Russian aggression. As President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I am particularly pleased that this bill recognizes that Georgia has been a longstanding NATO-aspirant country. In light of Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, America's support for countries trying to free themselves from Russia's vise is paramount."

The Georgia Support Act previously passed the House of Representatives in 115th Congress and the 116th Congress. Text of the legislation is available here.

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