WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), released a bipartisan statement applauding the April 19 agreement reached in Georgia to address the ongoing political crisis. Senator Johnson is ranking member on the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and Senator Shaheen is Chair.

“We stand with Georgia in its promise for democracy, and we are pleased that after six months the country has reached an agreement to address the political impasse,” said the Senators. “The political fate of Georgia not only has direct implications for its people – who are currently suffering the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on top of political instability and economic hardship – but is also a marker of the state of democracy around the world. Yesterday’s agreement is a step toward the greater pursuit of a vibrant and fully functioning democracy. We now call on all sides to come together for the benefit of the country to fully implement the agreement in its entirety, which includes election and judicial reforms to prevent future political deadlock. We stand ready to help the government of Georgia and its people to build a country that serves the needs of its citizens and ensures transparency and accountability moving forward.”

Last month, Senators Johnson and Shaheen held a hearing on bolstering democracy in Georgia in light of the country’s recent political developments. During the hearing, the Senators 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.

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