In a move to exert pressure on Georgia's ruling political party, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., plans to introduce legislation called the Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence (MEGOBARI) Act. The bill aims to sanction officials from Georgia over their recent adoption of a controversial Russian-style foreign agents law.

The Georgia Parliament's passing of the law has sparked widespread protests and drawn furious opposition from Western allies. Critics argue that the legislation mirrors the Russian law adopted in 2012, which stifled dissent and curtailed free expression.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Rep. Wilson, who chairs the Congressional Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, expressed his concerns about the lack of seriousness shown by the ruling Georgian Dream party and the Kremlin towards the United States. He emphasized the need for consequences for attacking the bonds between the Georgian people and the U.S., while also highlighting the desire for a strong relationship between the two nations.

The MEGOBARI Act, obtained by Fox News Digital, outlines key provisions that include the urgent consideration of visa bans for individuals responsible for advocating, passing, or potentially enacting the controversial foreign agents legislation. The bill also seeks to impose sanctions on those within the country's political, governmental, business, law enforcement, and security circles who advance or undermine lawful popular opposition or civil society in Georgia.

Within 60 days after the bill's enactment, the secretary of state is required to identify individuals in the Georgian government or associated with it, who have material responsibility for undermining democracy, human rights, or security in Georgia. Additionally, the bill calls for a report on Ukraine-related sanctions evasions in Georgia and an assessment of Russian intelligence assets in the country, with a focus on potential Russian-Chinese cooperation.

Georgian citizens have been protesting against the controversial law for over a month, with tens of thousands taking to the streets. The bill, labeled by the public as the "Russian law" due to its resemblance to the law adopted by Moscow in 2012, has garnered criticism from Georgia's Western allies, including the White House. In contrast, it has received praise from the Kremlin.

This is not the first time the ruling Georgian Dream party has attempted to pass a similar law. In 2023, the government abandoned the proposal after facing massive rallies. However, the current version of the law has resurfaced in the Georgian Parliament, giving lawmakers the choice to either override the veto imposed by President Salome Zurabishvili or shelve the law indefinitely.

Rep. Joe Wilson's MEGOBARI Act signals the United States' determination to respond to what it views as a breach of trust by Georgia and the erosion of democratic principles. The proposed sanctions and visa bans are intended to hold accountable those responsible for undermining the country's commitment to freedom and a pro-Western future.

As the legislation moves forward, its impact on the relationship between the United States and Georgia remains to be seen. Nonetheless, it underscores the growing tensions surrounding Georgia's controversial agents law and the international community's commitment to safeguarding democracy and human rights.