WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) voted today in favor of reauthorizing the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) (H.R. 4654), allowing the United States to continue supporting countries that preserve their tropical forests. These endangered locations help produce a quarter of prescription drugs, reduce greenhouse gases and are estimated to house many unidentified animal and plant species.
“We save ourselves when we save these forests,” Congressman Schiff said. “Future generations will thank us for continuing this wise investment.”
First passed in 1998 and reauthorized in 2001, TFCA built upon the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative (EAI) by expanding the authority of the U.S. State Department to convert debt owed from food-aid or development assistance into funds used to restore and protect tropical forests. Countries must also oppose terrorism and drug trafficking as well as support democracy and human rights. With Bangladesh, Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Panama, Peru and the Philippines already participating, negotiations are currently underway with Jamaica and Sri Lanka. Other countries that may participate in the future include Botswana, Brazil, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Paraguay and St. Vincent. H.R. 4654 reauthorizes the program for $75 million over three years: $20 million in FY 2005, $25 million in FY 2006 and $30 million in FY 2007.
Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations committees. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.