U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, introduced a resolution in April in support of full implementation of Georgia’s April 19th political agreement. The Senators issued the following statement after their bipartisan resolution cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday afternoon.

“As Georgia implements the April 19th agreement and works toward important democratic reforms, it is critical that the U.S. shows its support so that democracy may prevail. Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sent a strong, bipartisan message that we stand by our partner and its meaningful effort to establish a more responsive, accountable government and to advance its transatlantic goals”, - said the senators. “The resolution cleared by the Committee affirms the United States’ interest in seeing all parties adhere to the April 19th agreement in letter and spirit, that the United National Movement and all remaining opposition parties sign the agreement and that all parties work together in good faith to develop and fully implement the necessary judicial and electoral reforms needed to bolster their democracy. Georgia’s future depends on its ability to move forward together. The stability of Georgia’s democracy carries implications for broader regional security throughout Eastern Europe, and for the United States, particularly as Russia works to spread its malign influence. We look forward to building on this bipartisan progress in the Senate in support of Georgia’s ability to achieve its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”

Senators Johnson and Shaheen previously released a statement applauding the April agreement reached by Georgia that addressed their political crisis. In March, Shaheen and Johnson held a hearing on bolstering democracy in Georgia in light of the country’s recent political developments. During the hearing, Shaheen and Johnson both agreed on the importance of showing bipartisan support for Georgia’s path to strengthen its democracy and committed to spearheading a resolution in the Senate that expresses that sentiment.