Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus, and John Curtis (R-Utah) today introduced the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2026.
Introduce and support legislation to reauthorize programs protecting tropical forests and coral reef ecosystems.
Occurrences
Evidence
On March 9, 2026, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2026. This legislation aims to reauthorize the debt-for-nature swap program, allowing developing countries to reduce debt owed to the United States in exchange for protecting tropical forests and coral reefs. The program has previously helped protect over 67 million acres of tropical forests and sequestered over 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
On March 6, 2026, Senator Coons sponsored S.4011, a bill to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998. The latest action on this bill was its referral to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Assessments
Senator Coons both introduced and supported legislation to reauthorize programs protecting tropical forests and coral reef ecosystems. However, the available evidence only confirms introduction and sponsorship, with no indication the legislation became law or was fully enacted. Therefore, the core of the promise (introduction/support) was fulfilled, but the ultimate impact (reauthorization) is unconfirmed.