The Panama Canal Repurchase Act seeks to empower the President to negotiate for the U.S. to regain control over the Panama Canal. Introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson, the bill has attracted support but faces opposition from both Panama and the Biden administration, emphasizing the legacy of the 1977 treaty.
The Fulcrum presents a new weekly feature, Congress Bill Spotlight, curated by Jesse Rifkin, which highlights significant legislative proposals often overlooked by mainstream media. This week’s focus is the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, designed to grant the President authority to negotiate with Panama for the potential acquisition of the canal, a move initiated by Representative Dusty Johnson on January 9. Although a previous draft entertained a symbolic price of one dollar, this amount is absent from the current version of the bill.
In summary, the Panama Canal Repurchase Act aims to reestablish U.S. control over the canal, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding China’s influence in the region. The bill has garnered 29 Republican cosponsors and awaits discussion in the House Natural Resources Committee. The opposition, notably from Panama’s political leadership and the Biden administration, underscores the complexities of U.S.-Panama relations and the enduring implications of the 1977 treaty.
Original Source: thefulcrum.us
