Bill Details
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This bill says the United States should not recognize Bidzina Ivanishvili, or any government of Georgia led by him or his allies, as the legitimate government. It would also stop U.S. officials and federal funds from being used in any way that suggests the United States accepts such a government. The bill says the U.S. should support Georgia’s pre-October 26, 2024 president as the country’s only legitimate leader, and it calls for the U.S. to use sanctions and other tools to push back against corruption and foreign influence linked to China, Iran, and Russia. The policy could be ended if Georgia restores its constitution through free and fair elections that are certified by leaders of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.
- It directs the U.S. government not to normalize relations with a Georgian government led by Bidzina Ivanishvili or his proxies.
- It says federal officials may not take actions or spend federal money in ways that would recognize Ivanishvili’s leadership.
- It urges the U.S. to actively oppose other countries recognizing or working with such a government.
- It calls for full use of sanctions and anti-corruption powers to deter influence operations tied to China, Iran, and Russia.
Official Summaries
Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act
This bill prohibits federal officials and employees from taking any action, or expending any federal funds, to recognize or imply U.S. recognition of (1) Bidzina Ivanishvili, or (2) any government of the nation of Georgia that is led by Bidzina Ivanishvili or any proxies.
The bill also specifies that the United States must recognize the incumbent president of Georgia prior to the October 26, 2024, elections as the only legitimate leader of Georgia.
The President may declare this policy void if the chairman and co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission certify that Georgia has held free and fair elections.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 243 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 243
To prohibit United States recognition of Bidzina Ivanishvili or any
Government of Georgia that is led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 9, 2025
Mr. Wilson of South Carolina (for himself and Mr. Cohen) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit United States recognition of Bidzina Ivanishvili or any
Government of Georgia that is led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition
Act''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF RECOGNITION OF IVANISHVILI REGIME.
(a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States--
(1) not to recognize or normalize relations with any
Government of Georgia that is led by Bidzina Ivanishvili or any
proxies due to the Ivanishvili regime's ongoing crimes against
the Georgian people;
(2) to actively oppose recognition or normalization of
relations by other governments with any Government of Georgia
that is led by Bidzina Ivanishvili or any proxies, including by
fully implementing the mandatory primary and secondary
sanctions in Executive Order No. 14024; and
(3) to use the full range of authorities, including those
provided under the Global Magnitsky Act and Executive Order No.
14024, to deter corrupt activity or foreign influence
operations by Georgia on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party,
the Iranian regime, and the Russian Federation.
(b) Prohibition.--In accordance with subsection (a), no Federal
official or employee may take any action, and no Federal funds may be
made available, to recognize or otherwise imply, in any manner, United
States recognition of Bidzina Ivanishvili or any Government in Georgia
that is led by Bidzina Ivanishvili or any proxies.
(c) Recognition of President of Georgia.--The United States shall
recognize the incumbent President of Georgia prior to the fraudulent
elections on October 26, 2024 as the only legitimate leader in Georgia.
(d) Restoration of Georgian Constitution.--In the case of the
restoration of the Georgian constitution as demonstrated by the holding
of free and fair elections as certified by the Chairman and Co-Chairman
of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, this policy may be declared void by
the President.
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