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119-hres-232119th Congress

Calling on the Government of Panama to expel officials and interests of the People's Republic of China and terminate Chinese management of key Panamanian ports.

Sponsored By: Representative Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]

Introduced

Summary

Protecting the Panama Canal’s permanent neutrality is the resolution’s central goal. It would press Panama to end Chinese management of key ports and would ask the United States to use the 1977 Neutrality Treaty and develop a U.S.–Panama task force to bolster canal security.

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  • Panama: Would be urged to reaffirm the canal’s neutrality, terminate agreements that let Chinese state-owned or China-based private entities manage strategic ports like Balboa and Cristobal, and expel PRC officials from ports and major infrastructure projects.
  • U.S. policy: Would be urged to leverage the Neutrality Treaty, provide technical, financial, and strategic support, offer U.S. investment alternatives to Chinese-funded projects, and form a joint U.S.–Panama task force to oversee canal security and operations.
  • Regional partners: Would be encouraged to monitor and counter authoritarian regimes that use infrastructure deals to gain strategic leverage in the Western Hemisphere.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Panama urged to keep canal neutral

This resolution would call on Panama to reaffirm its sovereignty and the Panama Canal’s permanent neutrality under the Neutrality Treaty. It would urge fair, unbiased canal management that keeps the waterway open to all nations. It would encourage partnerships that align with democratic values and protect regional security. This is aimed at Panama and canal managers, not U.S. households.

U.S. support and joint canal task force

This resolution would urge the United States to offer investments and technical help to modernize the Panama Canal and provide alternatives to Chinese-funded projects. It would call for a U.S.–Panama framework and a joint task force to oversee canal security and operations. It would ask the U.S. to use the Neutrality Treaty to monitor and address threats to canal neutrality. The resolution itself would not provide or approve funding.

End Chinese port control in Panama

This resolution would ask Panama to review and end port deals with Chinese state-owned or China-based firms, including at Balboa and Cristobal. It would also call on Panama to expel PRC officials from ports and other critical projects. These steps aim to reduce foreign influence but could disrupt port operations and supply chains.

Allies urged to counter authoritarian leverage

This resolution would encourage Panama and allies to watch for and counter efforts by authoritarian regimes to gain leverage through economic pressure. It would promote coordinated monitoring and responses. It is advisory and includes no direct funding.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 3/21/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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