Countering China's Control of the Caucasus Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7668) to require a report on Russian and Chinese intelligence assets in Georgia, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7668

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Countering China's Control of the Caucasus Act''. SEC. 2. REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS.

(a) Report on Russian and Chinese Intelligence Assets in Georgia.--

(1) Defined term.--In this section, the term ``relevant congressional committees'' means--

(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(B) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;

(C) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;

(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;

(E) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives;

(F) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives;

(G) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and

(H) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(2) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, shall submit a classified report, as appropriate, to the relevant congressional committees that meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (3).

(3) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (2) shall--

(A) be prepared consistent with the protection of sources and methods;

(B) examine the penetration of Russian and Chinese intelligence elements and their assets in Georgia; and

(C) examine the potential intersection of Russian and Chinese influence and cooperation in Georgia.

(b) 5-Year United States Strategy for Bilateral Relations With Georgia.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the relevant congressional committees a detailed strategy that--

(A) outlines specific objectives for enhancing bilateral ties which reflect the current domestic political environment in Georgia;

(B) includes a determination of the tools, resources, and funding that should be available to achieve the objectives outlined pursuant to subparagraph (A) and an assessment of whether Georgia should remain a top recipient of United States funding in the Europe and Eurasia region;

(C) includes a determination of the extent to which the United States should continue to invest in its partnership with Georgia; and

(D) includes a determination of whether the Government of Georgia remains committed to expanding trade ties with the United States and Europe and whether the United States Government should continue to invest in Georgian projects.

(2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex.

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Mr. MAST. 7668.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7668, the Countering China's Control of the Caucasus Act, introduced by my colleague to my right here from South Carolina, Mr. Joe Wilson.

Now, over the last few years, there have been serious questions raised about the status of democracy and the prevalence of malign influence from U.S. adversaries in the Republic of Georgia.

To this day, Russia occupies 20 percent of Georgia's sovereign territory following its 2008 invasion. Despite efforts to militarily resist Russia, concerns remain over Russia's longstanding influence in Georgia.

Equally concerning is the influence of the People's Republic of China within the country. In the last few years, this led to a Chinese consortium being selected over a U.S. company for developing a massive seaport project. Competition is good, but when it comes to critical infrastructure like this, our partners should take into consideration the risks posed by the PRC.

This bill would require an assessment of Russian and Chinese intelligence activities and influence within the Republic of Georgia and identify any areas of cooperation between Russia and China within Georgia.

The bill would also require a strategy for the future relationship between the United States and Georgia and help us assess if Georgia is serious about a path of improved relations.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank my colleague, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, for introducing this effort, and I urge my colleagues to advance this bill today.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Brian Mast for being so perceptive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7668, the Countering China's Control of the Caucasus Act, to reassert, as the speaker expressed earlier, to support freedom and prosperity in the South Caucasus region of Asia.

President Donald Trump has presented a historic opportunity to expand economic prosperity in Central Asia, benefiting the region and America. Georgia has been a courageous, longtime ally of the United States with a population that overwhelmingly supports a strong relationship with the West.

Congressman Bera is correct that the House has already passed the MEGOBARI Act which provides for the strengthening relationship with the people of Georgia 349-42 and to support the people of Georgia.

The illegitimate Georgian Dream regime is in the process of selling out the country to the Chinese Communist Party and, indeed the chairman is correct, war criminal Putin and Iran, against the wishes of the Georgian people and the interests of the United States.

The election was rigged in Georgia. With this, they have peddled the vilest anti-American propaganda and constantly insult President Trump, accusing him of acting as an agent of the ``deep state.''

In fact, we also note that the legitimate President, Salome Zourabichvili, has been a valued guest for the inauguration of President Donald Trump, and almost daily, there are demonstrations in Tbilisi where people carry giant posters of President Donald Trump, expressing their love and affection for President Trump and the United States.

The puppet Georgian Dream Prime Minister just last week accused our Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, of lying. The behavior of this rogue regime threatens all that President Trump has accomplished in the South Caucasus, and it must change.

The sea route to the Middle Corridor must run through Georgia and the Communist Chinese Party is set, as the chairman has identified, to own and control the strategic deep seaport in the region, the Anaklia Port on the Black Sea.

Congratulations to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in neighboring Armenia on his astounding election victory yesterday. Unlike Georgian Dream, Pashinyan is working with the United States and with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to remove Russian influence from the region and normalize relations with the very valued and appreciated NATO ally, Turkiye.

This is a once in a 3,000 year opportunity for stability, peace, and prosperity in the region. I am grateful for President Trump orchestrating the peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Georgian Dream nightmare regime with fair and free elections must abandon its anti-American course, release political prisoners, end politically motivated prosecutions, ensure a fair election environment, revoke draconian laws that are suffocating U.S. businesses, and seek to end the repression of free speech.

The Countering China's Control of the Caucasus Act ensures that Chinese and Russian covert operations in the country are brought to light and that the United States strongly considers whether Georgia should remain a top recipient of aid while it attacks America in its propaganda on an almost daily basis.

Georgian troops have fought bravely with Americans in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with our chairman. We know that Georgia has been a close partner and ally of the United States.

We must reestablish the strong relationship that has been between the United States and Georgia. It will not be able to normalize unless we have fair and free elections.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for the United States and Georgia to move forward. Doing so requires clarity on what is happening in their country behind the scenes and a responsible strategy for future engagement.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, to better inform U.S. policy toward the Republic of Georgia.

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