This week, I co-sponsored a bill for the United States to repurchase the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is not just a vital waterway for global trade—it’s a strategic asset of immense importance to the United States. According to the U.S. Department of State, about 72% of all vessels passing through the canal are either headed to or coming from U.S. ports. Beyond its commercial value, it also serves as a critical transit route for Coast Guard and Department of Defense vessels.

Without access to the Panama Canal, ocean shippers would face an 8,000-mile detour around South America, significantly impacting both trade efficiency and costs. Annually, over 10,000 ships traverse the canal, generating billions in tolls, a potential boon to America’s economy.

However, China’s increasing influence in the region is a serious concern. In 2018, Panama became the first Latin American country to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Since then, Chinese firms have heavily invested in canal infrastructure, and PRC companies now hold managing rights to the two ports flanking the canal. This raises significant national security and economic red flags.

In Congress, we’re fighting back.

We must remain vigilant in protecting American interests and pushing back against any threats to our economic and national security. The Panama Canal is too valuable to let foreign adversaries gain the upper hand.

Legislation cosponsored:

• H.R. 260 - To require a strategy to oppose financial or material support by foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations to the Taliban, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 271 - To provide for a moratorium on Federal funding to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
• H.R. 272 - To prohibit Federal funding to entities that do not certify the entities will not perform, or provide any funding to any other entity that performs, an abortion.
• H.R. 273 - To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to continue to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 276 - To rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America".
• H.R. 282 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office".
• H.R. 283 - To authorize the President to enter into negotiations for the reacquisition of the Panama Canal from the Republic of Panama.
• H.R. 309 - To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide funding for the National Law Enforcement Museum, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 317 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create health freedom accounts available to all individuals.
• H.R. 318 - To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of aliens, and for other purposes.
• H.Res. 24 - Expunging the December 18, 2019, impeachment of President Donald John Trump.
• H.Res. 25 - Expunging the January 13, 2021, impeachment of President Donald John Trump.
• H.R. 23 - Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
• H.R. 236 - To prohibit certain telework employees from receiving certain annual adjustments to pay schedules, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 21 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion.
• H.Res. 15 - Rescinding the subpoenas issued by the January 6th Select Committee on September 23, 2021, October 6, 2021, and February 9, 2022, and withdrawing the recommendations finding Stephen K. Bannon, Mark Randall Meadows, Daniel Scavino, Jr., and Peter K. Navarro in contempt of Congress.
• H.R. 22 - To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 24 - To require a full audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks by the Comptroller General of the United States, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 28 - To amend the Education Amendments of 1972 to provide that for purposes of determining compliance with title IX of such Act in athletics, sex shall be recognized based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
• H.R. 29 - To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 30 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that aliens who have been convicted of or who have committed sex offenses or domestic violence are inadmissible and deportable.
• H.R. 35 - To impose criminal and immigration penalties for intentionally fleeing a pursuing Federal officer while operating a motor vehicle.
• H.R. 38 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a means by which nonresidents of a State whose residents may carry concealed firearms may also do so in the State.
• H.R. 45 - To amend title 41, United States Code, to prohibit the Federal Government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against the firearm and ammunition industry, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 53 - To cancel certain proposed changes to credit fees charged by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 134 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the detention, inadmissibility, and removal of aliens who commit sexual assault.
• H.R. 137 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affecting individuals, families, and small businesses, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 142 - To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law.
• H.R. 163 - To immediately resume construction of the border wall system along the international border between the United States and Mexico to secure the border, enforce the rule of law, and expend appropriated funds as mandated by Congress, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 175 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to aliens associated with criminal gangs, and for other purposes.
• H.J.Res. 8 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide certain line item veto authority to the President.
• H.J.Res. 9 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the United States Government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress.

It is a privilege to represent our district in Congress.  While we’ve faced many challenges in recent years, through strength and prayer, we have persevered. 

Please know that we are always a resource for you.  Call or stop by any of the offices (YOUR offices, we work for you), whenever you need assistance or want to talk about an issue before Congress.

For assistance or more information, please call or go online to visit us at weber.house.gov.

God Bless you and God Bless Texas!