Co-Chairmen of the Georgia Caucus, U.S. Congressmen Ted Poe (R-TX) and Gerald Connolly (D-VA) released the following statements after the House passed H.R. 6129, the bi-partisan Georgia Support Act. The legislation reasserts the United States’ support for Georgia’s sovereignty and opposition to the forceful and illegal Russian invasion of Abkhazia and Tskhinivali region/South Ossetia.

“The Republic of Georgia is a beacon of democracy in a part of the world that has long struggled to break the legacy of Soviet oppression,” said Congressman Poe, the co-chair of the Congressional Georgia Caucus. “While Georgia successfully achieved independence in 1991, Moscow has persistently attempted to bully the small nation back into its orbit — even going to the extent of invading and occupying a third of Georgia’s territory. As Georgia’s friend and ally we have a duty to help the Georgian people resist Russia’s aggression. That is why I am proud to join my counterpart on the Georgia Caucus, Rep. Gerry Connolly, in introducing the Georgia Support Act. This important bill not only sends a message to the Kremlin that Congress opposes its violations of Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity, but we are ready to back it up with action. By passing this bill, we are enhancing Georgia’s ability to defend itself and taking steps to target Russians who commit brutal human rights atrocities against the Georgian people.”

“I am proud that the House has passed the Georgia Support Act, which strengthens the vital U.S.-Georgia partnership, a strategically important relationship in a critical part of the world,” said Congressman Connolly, co-chair of the Congressional Georgia Caucus. “This bill demonstrates the United States’ robust support of Georgia’s sovereignty, continued democratic development, and security, especially in the face of Russian aggression. The Georgia Support Act builds on previous efforts to bolster Georgia’s territorial integrity by authorizing sanctions against those responsible for or complicit in human rights violations in Georgia’s occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”