Timothy Kaine (D-VA)
Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 498.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act," aims to support U.S. investment opportunities and strengthen collaboration to address criminal elements in the Brazilian Amazon. It directs the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to identify economic opportunities and investment risks in the region. The Secretary of State is tasked with supporting Brazil's efforts to disrupt criminal networks through capacity building, information sharing, and assistance in tracing criminal funds. Additionally, the bill provides for financial and technical assistance to promote lawful livelihoods and the management of protected areas. It also requires several reports to Congress regarding economic opportunities, progress on crime disruption, and drivers of deforestation. Finally, the Secretary of the Treasury is directed to use U.S. influence at international financial institutions to prioritize sustainable development and oppose loans that exacerbate environmental degradation.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill promotes the management of protected areas, indigenous territories, and water resources to prevent deforestation.
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically provides for the protection of rights and management of indigenous territories.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill provides assistance to promote the economic, social, and political advancement of Afro-descendent communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Opportunity and Risk Management: The Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation may place a staff member in Brazil to identify more viable economic opportunities and mitigation measures for investment risks (Section 3, subsection a).
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Disruption of Criminal Networks: The Secretary of State may support efforts to disrupt criminal networks through information sharing, training, and assisting in the identification of crime proceeds for asset recovery (Section 4, subsection a).
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Community Advancement and Rights Protection: Financial and technical assistance may be provided to promote the economic, social, and political advancement of local communities, including the protection of internationally recognized human rights in Afro-descendent and indigenous communities (Section 4, subsection b).
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Environmental and Resource Management: The bill promotes the management of protected areas, including indigenous territories, water resources, and habitats for threatened species (Section 4, subsection b).
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Sustainable Development via International Influence: The U.S. will use its influence at international financial institutions to prioritize promoting broad-based development in the Brazilian Amazon (Section 6, subsection 1).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Opposition to Certain Financial Programs: The U.S. is directed to use its influence at international financial institutions to oppose any loans or programs that could facilitate or exacerbate deforestation and environmental degradation (Section 6, subsection 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically provides for the protection of rights and management of indigenous territories. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill aims to promote lawful livelihoods and social advancement for local communities in the Amazon. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes protections for the rights of Afro-descendent communities in the Brazilian Amazon.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides assistance to promote the economic, social, and political advancement of Afro-descendent communities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill supports the promotion of sustainable and lawful livelihoods to aid local communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes the management of protected areas, indigenous territories, and water resources to prevent deforestation.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill authorizes up to $10,000,000 annually to support Brazil's efforts to combat criminal networks and environmental crime.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill seeks to identify and implement more viable and sustainable economic opportunities in the Brazilian Amazon.
- 7/27/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 498.
- 6/17/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/31/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon