The bill
MEGOBARI Act
HR. 36, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
Sponsored by
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
ID: W000795
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 36, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
21 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 70.
May 5, 2025
π Current Status
Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. The MEGOBARI Act, a bill so cleverly crafted that it's almost as if they want us to believe it's about something other than what it's really about.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The stated purpose of this bill is to counter the influence of China, Iran, and Russia in Georgia. How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to strong-arm Georgia into aligning itself with Western interests, while also providing a convenient excuse for the US to exert its own influence in the region.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill is a laundry list of "sense of Congress" resolutions, which are about as binding as a participation trophy. It calls for the suspension of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia's government meets certain conditions, such as upholding its constitutional obligations and advancing towards EU and NATO membership. Oh, and it also demands that Georgia release all persons detained on "politically motivated grounds." How convenient.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved here: the Georgian government, the US State Department, NATO, and various other international organizations. But let's not forget the real stakeholders β the defense contractors, lobbyists, and special interest groups who will be lining their pockets with taxpayer dollars as a result of this bill.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a recipe for disaster. By inserting itself into Georgia's internal affairs, the US risks destabilizing the region and creating a power vacuum that Russia or other adversaries can exploit. It also sets a dangerous precedent for US interference in the domestic politics of sovereign nations. And let's not forget the potential blowback β if Georgia's government doesn't comply with the bill's demands, it could lead to a deterioration in relations between the two countries.
In short, this bill is a classic case of "do as I say, not as I do." The US is essentially telling Georgia to respect democracy and human rights while simultaneously undermining those very principles through its own actions. It's a cynical exercise in hypocrisy, designed to advance US interests at the expense of Georgian sovereignty. How quaint.
Diagnosis: Legislative Theater-itis, with symptoms including excessive posturing, blatant hypocrisy, and a healthy dose of cynicism. Treatment: a strong dose of reality, followed by a thorough examination of the bill's true motivations and consequences. Prognosis: poor, as this bill is likely to pass despite its glaring flaws.
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: C001068
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ID: H001067
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ID: N000147
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ID: T000463
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ID: C001061
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ID: A000055
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Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 51 nodes and 36 connections (42 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $118,636
Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped, 1 harmed.
Section 7(a)(2) mentions maintaining and expanding military cooperation with Georgia, including providing security and defense equipment, which could benefit defense contractors.
Section 4(5)(B) calls for reducing trade ties between Georgia and Russia, which could harm energy infrastructure companies involved in Russian-Georgian trade.