PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S338-339)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 23, 2025
This resolution expresses concern about the presence and influence of China in Panamanian ports and infrastructure, particularly in facilities with strategic significance such as the ports of Balboa and Cristobal.
The resolution calls on the Panamanian government to reaffirm its commitment to the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal as defined by the Neutrality Treaty (i.e., the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal, signed in 1977) and terminate agreements allowing Chinese state-owned enterprises or private entities based in China to manage such strategic infrastructure. The resolution also urges the U.S. government to (1) leverage provisions of the Neutrality Treaty to address threats to the neutrality of the Panama Canal, and (2) develop a U.S.-Panama task force to oversee canal security and operations.
People & committees
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO] · R–MO
Legislative record
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Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S338-339)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Oct 16, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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