Bills · SRES 31
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate Res.SRES 31International Affairs
A resolution 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.
INTRO JAN 23· LAST ACTION JAN 23
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
5
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Non-binding
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis resolution matters because the Panama Canal is a critical waterway for global trade and a strategically important asset for the Western Hemisphere. Concerns about any single foreign power having undue influence over its surrounding infrastructure, like major ports, directly impacts international shipping, supply chains, and regional security.
If this resolution gains traction and influences U.S. foreign policy, it could lead to significant shifts in Panama's economic and political relationships, potentially reducing China's influence while increasing U.S. engagement and investment in Panama. If it doesn't become a driving force for policy, the existing arrangements regarding Chinese-managed ports in Panama would likely continue, maintaining the current geopolitical dynamics and the stated concerns of the senators about the Canal's neutrality and U.S. security interests.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Calls on the Government of Panama to terminate agreements allowing Chinese state-owned or affiliated entities to manage strategic infrastructure, including the ports of Balboa and Cristobal.
This aims to reduce China's influence over critical infrastructure near the Panama Canal, which supporters believe is vital for the Canal's neutrality and regional security.
PROVISION 02
Calls on the Government of Panama to expel all officials from the People's Republic of China operating within Panamanian ports and other critical infrastructure projects.
This directly seeks to remove Chinese government presence from key strategic locations in Panama, addressing concerns about foreign control and intelligence gathering.
PROVISION 03
Urges the Government of the United States to leverage provisions in the Neutrality Treaty to monitor and address threats to the neutrality of the Panama Canal.
This provision advocates for the U.S. to actively use its existing treaty rights to intervene against foreign influence perceived as a threat to the Canal's operations.
PROVISION 04
Urges the U.S. to offer significant investments to modernize Panama's canal infrastructure and provide alternatives to Chinese-funded projects.
This proposes a concrete U.S. strategy to counter Chinese economic influence by offering a compelling alternative for Panama's development needs.
PROVISION 05
Urges the U.S. to establish a framework for restoring operational control of the Panama Canal to a collaborative partnership between the U.S. and Panama, and to develop a joint U.S.-Panama task force for canal security.
This seeks to formalize and strengthen a direct, shared U.S.-Panama oversight of the Canal, aiming to enhance security and ensure freedom of navigation through a closer partnership.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 5
R· Missouri
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
57
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 5 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 23
Introduced in Senate
JAN 23
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S338-339)
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Resolution
NumberSRES 31
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 23, 2025
Last actionJan 23, 2025
READER REACTIONS
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 23, 2025
Senate Res.SRES 31International Affairs
A resolution 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.
INTRODUCED JAN 23, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 23, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
5
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
