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S2578119th CongressWALLET

Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act

Sponsored By: Senator Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

In Committee

Summary

Target criminal networks that drive deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon while steering U.S. financing and aid toward sustainable, community-centered investments and opportunity identification in the region.

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  • United States investors and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation would get a focused effort to find sustainable investment opportunities, including a DFC staff presence in Brazil and a report to Congress within 180 days.
  • Brazilian Indigenous and Afro-descendent communities would receive USAID-backed support for sustainable livelihoods, protected area management, and rights protection to reduce pressures that cause deforestation.
  • U.S. law enforcement and finance agencies would coordinate capacity-building, money-tracing, and investigations into environmental crimes and would press international financial institutions to oppose financing that could worsen deforestation.

*Would authorize up to $10 million per year for fiscal years 2025–2028, increasing potential federal spending by up to $40 million over four years.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

U.S. help to fight Amazon crime

If enacted, the Secretary of State would direct U.S. officials to help Brazil identify and disrupt transnational criminal networks tied to Amazon deforestation. Help would include information sharing, training, tracing criminal funds, and support for investigations and asset recovery. The Secretary would also be asked to provide financial and technical help for community livelihoods and protection of indigenous and Afro-descendent rights. The Secretary must report to Congress within 180 days and then once a year for five years on progress.

U.S. votes at global development banks

If enacted, the Treasury Secretary would direct U.S. executive directors at the World Bank, Inter‑American Development Bank, and IMF to use U.S. voice and vote to prioritize broad development in the Brazilian Amazon. Those U.S. directors would be told to oppose loans or programs that would facilitate or worsen deforestation and environmental degradation. This would change how the United States acts inside those international banks.

DFC staff in Brazil report

If enacted, the DFC chief would be asked to consider placing a staff member in Brazil to find and help implement sustainable investment opportunities in the Brazilian Amazon. The staff would identify investment risks and ways to reduce them, including risks tied to criminal activity. The DFC must report to Congress within 180 days on the opportunities it found and the biggest barriers to sustainable investment.

Key definitions for the Act

If enacted, the bill would define key terms used across the Act. "Crimes" would explicitly include illegal fishing and wildlife trade, illicit mining, illegal logging and land-clearing in the Brazilian Amazon, plus related corruption and violent crimes. "Environmental degradation" would mean physical damage to land, water, or wildlife from those crimes. The bill would also name which international banks count as "international financial institutions" and allow the President to designate other relevant U.S. agencies.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/31/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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