Chabot, Sherman Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 Passes the House

Press Release

Congressman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) applauded the House of Representatives for passing the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 yesterday, bipartisan legislation that he sponsored with Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) to safeguard tropical forests and coral reefs by reauthorizing the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998. This legislation is a companion to S. 335, sponsored by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.).

"We can and we must continue to protect tropical forests and coral reefs," Chabot said. "Since its passage, the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 has helped preserve 67 million acres of tropical forest around the world. The Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 2021 will not only continue these efforts to preserve and protect tropical forests, but also foster economic development abroad in an innovative manner. I want to thank Senator Portman for his leadership on this effort and Congressman Brad Sherman for working with me to move this legislation forward in the House."

"I was glad to see this important bill pass the House yesterday. Debt-for-nature programs are a critical tool to protect and preserve tropical forests and coral reefs," Sherman said. "The Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act will extend the life of this impactful program through FY2026, which will ensure the U.S. continues to contribute to important global conservation efforts. I want to thank Congressman Chabot for again including me in this bipartisan effort. I hope to see this bill soon become law."

Background:

In 1998, then-Congressman Portman introduced, and Congressmen Chabot and Sherman co-sponsored, the Tropical Forest Conservation Act. This legislation provides for loan forgiveness for developing countries that meet certain benchmarks and agree to contribute instead to tropical forest conservation. Since then, this legislation has enabled the United States to help preserve 67 million acres of tropical forest around the world.

In 2019, the Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act became law, renewing the program and adding coral reefs. This legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Portman and a bipartisan group of senators, and in the House by Congressmen Chabot and Sherman and several of their colleagues.

The Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 provides for continued funding for the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act for fiscal years 2022-2026.

The Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 is supported by Conservation International, the World Wildlife Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society, The Nature Conservancy, and International Paper.

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