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SRES 31

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.

119th Congress Introduced by Marsha Blackburn and 5 co-sponsors

Calls for Panama to reaffirm Panama Canal neutrality and limit Chinese control of Balboa/Cristobal, with U.S. support to modernize infrastructure and bolster sovereignty.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SRES 31

Summary: Senate Resolution SRES 31 (Introduced Jan 23, 2025)

Overview

SRES 31 is a non-binding resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate that expresses concern about the People’s Republic of China’s presence and influence in Panamanian ports and infrastructure, with a focus on Balboa and Cristobal. It calls on the Government of Panama to reassess Chinese involvement in strategic assets, reaffirm the Panama Canal’s neutrality, and strengthen U.S.-Panama cooperation to safeguard sovereignty and security in the Western Hemisphere. The resolution also urges the United States to support Panama through technical, financial, and strategic measures and to pursue enhanced operational control and modernization of canal infrastructure in partnership with Panama. A companion measure exists in the House as HRES 232.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • To discourage Chinese state influence in Panama’s strategic ports and infrastructure.
  • To reinforce Panama’s neutrality and sovereignty, particularly regarding the Panama Canal.
  • To promote U.S.-Panama cooperation and investment to modernize canal facilities and reduce dependence on Chinese management.
  • To encourage regional allies to counter authoritarian leverage in the Western Hemisphere.

Key Provisions

1) Expresses profound concern about PRC presence and influence in Panamanian ports and infrastructure, notably Balboa and Cristobal.

2) Urges Panama to:
- (A) reaffirm permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal as defined by the Neutrality Treaty, ensuring unbiased access for vessels of all nations.
- (B) review and terminate agreements that allow PRC state-owned enterprises or China-based private entities to manage strategic infrastructure (including Balboa and Cristobal).
- (C) expel PRC officials operating within Panamanian ports and critical infrastructure projects.
- (D) reaffirm sovereignty and security of Panama, seeking partnerships aligned with democratic values and mutual respect.

3) Urges the United States to:
- (A) leverage the Neutrality Treaty to monitor and address neutrality threats in the canal and counter undue foreign influence.
- (B) provide technical, financial, and strategic support to Panama to assert sovereignty over critical infrastructure.
- (C) strengthen regional collaboration to promote transparent, sustainable investments.
- (D) establish a framework to restore cooperative operational control of the Panama Canal between the U.S. and Panama, honoring the treaty and sovereignty.
- (E) offer significant U.S. investments to modernize canal infrastructure and provide alternatives to Chinese-funded projects.
- (F) develop a joint U.S.-Panama task force to oversee canal security and operations.

4) Encourages Panama and regional/global allies to monitor and counter authoritarian regimes’ attempts to exploit economic vulnerabilities for leverage in the Western Hemisphere.

5) Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit the resolution to the U.S. President, the Secretary of State, Panama’s President, and Panama’s National Assembly.

Legislative Details

  • Status: Introduced in the Senate; referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations (Jan 23, 2025).
  • Text reference: CR S338-339.
  • Sponsors: Primary Eric S. Schmitt; notable cosponsors include Tom Cotton, Katie Britt, Roger Marshall, Pete Ricketts, and Marsha Blackburn.
  • Related: Companion House bill HRES 232.

Who Is Affected

  • Panama: Potential policy shifts toward expulsion of PRC personnel and termination of Chinese management arrangements for strategic ports; reaffirmation of canal neutrality and sovereignty efforts.
  • United States: Encouragement of enhanced support, investment, and cooperative mechanisms with Panama; potential expansion of bilateral security and infrastructure collaborations.
  • Port/Infrastructure Operators: Possible changes in management and governance of Balboa and Cristobal if Panama acts on the provisions.
  • Regional Allies: Invited role in countering authoritarian leverage in the hemisphere.

Potential Impact

As a resolution, SRES 31 is non-binding. It signals Congressional intent to push Panama toward disengagement from Chinese management of key assets and to strengthen U.S.-Panamanian collaboration around canal neutrality and modernization. It may influence policy discussions, diplomatic engagement, and potential funding or investment initiatives related to Panama’s canal and port infrastructure.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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