Majority member Sharmanashvili: US Senate Speaker’s decision on MEGOBARI Act shows progress in Georgia–US relations

The effort to revive the MEGOBARI Act has failed again; however, the recent decision by U.S. Senate leadership indicates that steps are being taken to improve Georgian-US relations, said Tengiz Sharmanashvili, a member of the parliamentary majority.

Sharmanashvili commented on reporting by The Hill, which stated that Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined House Speaker Mike Johnson’s request to include the MEGOBARI Act in the National Defense Authorization Act.

“It is evident that this was yet another attempt to revive the MEGOBARI Act. This situation reflects the same logic as engaging in prolonged negative speech to inflict harm—regardless of whether the accusations hold any truth. What does the Senate leadership’s action signify? It represents a pragmatic gesture. Restoring Georgian-American relations to a strategic level is not a swift process, but we are beginning to observe practical steps in that direction. For instance, the former U.S. ambassador was promptly recalled into retirement, and our own ambassador quickly received his resignation letter. These actions indicate a movement back towards a pragmatic framework in our relations. I hope that, in the long term, we can establish fair, partnership-based, and strategic relations between Georgia and the United States,” said Sharmanashvili.