Chair Cardin Welcomes Accountability Measures in Response to Georgia’s Democratic Backsliding

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement following the announcement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the United States will pause the majority of foreign assistance sent to Georgia.

"The Biden-Harris Administration's decision to pause most foreign assistance to the government of Georgia marks a significant and necessary response to the ongoing erosion of democratic institutions in the country. The Georgian government's recent action - particularly the enactment of a Russian-style foreign agent law - represents a direct assault on civil society and independent media. Such measures are fundamentally at odds with the Euro Atlantic future that the Georgian people both demand and deserve.

"Georgia's foreign agent law and subsequent crackdown on peaceful protestors has painted a stark picture of its alarming democratic backsliding. Suspending aid that benefits the current government demonstrates our country's strong commitment to standing with the Georgian people and supporting their democratic aspirations. Our shared values of democracy and freedom are non-negotiable."

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