PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Mar 13, 1998
Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish a Tropical Forest Facility in the Department of the Treasury to provide for the administration of debt reduction in accordance with this Act. Makes eligible for Facility benefits developing countries with tropical forests that: (1) meet certain requirements applicable to Latin American and Caribbean countries for eligibility for Enterprise for the Americas Facility benefits; (2) have put in place major investment reforms, as evidenced by the conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty with the United States, implementation of an investment sector loan with the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank-supported investment reforms, or other appropriate measures; and (3) meet other requirements related to environmental policies, as determined by the President. Authorizes the President to: (1) reduce debt owed to the United States (outstanding as of January 1, 1997) by eligible countries as a result of concessional loans made under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or predecessor foreign economic assistance legislation or credits (subject to advance appropriations) extended under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; and (2) sell to any eligible purchaser any concessional loans or credits or, on receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser, to reduce or cancel such loans or credits (or portion thereof), only for the purpose of facilitating a debt-for-nature swap or debt buyback (by an eligible country of its own qualified debt) to support activities to preserve or restore tropical forests. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into a Tropical Forest Agreement with any eligible country concerning the operation and use of the Tropical Forest Fund which any eligible country must establish in order to receive payments of interest on new obligations issued under this Act. Requires the use of Funds to provide grants to preserve, maintain, and restore tropical forests in beneficiary countries. Provides that grants shall be made to: (1) nongovernmental environmental, conservation, and indigenous peoples organizations in beneficiary countries; (2) other appropriate local or regional entities; and (3) governments of such countries, in exceptional circumstances. Makes grants of more than $100,000 subject to veto by the U.S. Government or the government of the beneficiary country. Directs the Enterprise for the Americas Board established under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (in addition to its other required duties) to: (1) advise the Secretary of State on the negotiations of Tropical Forest Agreements; (2) ensure that a suitable administering body is identified for each Fund; and (3) review the programs, operations, and fiscal audits of each administering body. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the Facility.
People & committees
Rep. Portman, Rob [R-OH-2] · R–OH
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 105-214.
Became Public Law No: 105-214.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H5507-5511)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H5507-5511)
Mr. Gilman asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1758 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1758 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 1758 amended.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8157-8159)
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8157-8159)
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 356 - 61 (Roll No. 63).
House roll call 63 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 356 - 61 (Roll No. 63).
House roll call 63 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2870.
The Chair announced the unfinished business to be the further consideration of those amendments on which recorded votes had been requested and postponed in the following order: the Gilman amendment, and the Vento amendments en bloc.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Vento en bloc amendments and announced that, by voice vote, the amendments were agreed to. Mr. Gilman demanded a recorded vote and further proceedings were postponed.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gilman amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and announced that by voice vote, the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Gilman demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to the rule, proceedings on the amendment were postponed until later.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Ray LaHood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 388 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2870 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on International Relations now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 388. (consideration: CR H1307-1319)
Rule H. Res. 388 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 388 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2870 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on International Relations now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 251.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 105-443. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 105-443. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Mr. Campbell asked unanimous consent that the Committee on International Relations have until midnight on March 13 to file a report on H.R. 2870. Agreed to without objection.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Executive Comment Received from State.
Committee Hearings Held.
Executive Comment Requested from State.
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2217)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.2870 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.2870 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.2870 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.2870 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.