President-elect Donald Trump has recently expressed his desire to see the U.S. retake control of the Panama Canal, given its critical importance to international trade and national security.

One Republican member of Congress has now drafted legislation to help make that dream a reality by formally authorizing the purchase of the vital waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Washington Examiner reported.

Not everyone in Congress takes Trump's talk about reacquiring the Panama Canal seriously, however, and some Democrats are predictably freaking out, so it remains unclear if the bill will garner sufficient support to become a law.

Authorizing the purchase of the Panama Canal

On Thursday, Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) is expected to introduce a bill in the House titled the "Panama Canal Repurchase Act of 2025," that would "authorize the President to enter into negotiations for the reacquisition of the Panama Canal from the Republic of Panama for the symbolic amount of $1."

The language of the bill authorizes and instructs the president to act "in coordination with" the Secretary of State to "initiate and conduct negotiations with appropriate counterparts" in the Panamanian government on a deal to reacquire the Canal.

It further directs the president to submit to Congress within 180 days a report "detailing the progress of the negotiations" with particular attention paid to "potential challenges" and "anticipated outcomes."

Here’s bill text from @DustyJohnson to “authorize the President to enter into negotiations for the reacquisition of the Panama Canal from the Republic of Panama for the symbolic amount of $1.” pic.twitter.com/k9nRSmrE7l

— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) January 8, 2025

Johnson defends his bill

In a statement to the Examiner, Rep. Johnson said, "President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal."

"China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern," he added. "America must project strength abroad -- owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe."

The South Dakota congressman also spoke to a Fox News reporter about his bill and the incoming president's interest and said, "I think it is a Teddy Roosevelt moment. And frankly, America used to run this canal, and it was very well run under American leadership."

Is Trump serious or not?

Newsweek reported that President-elect Trump has recently been complaining about the "exorbitant" fees Panama charges for the use of the Canal as well as China's growing influence and control over the crucial shipping passage, and even refused to rule out the possibility of using military force to retake control of the Canal if necessary.

"The Panama Canal is vital to our country. It's being operated by China. China!" Trump said at a press conference. "We gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn't give it to China. And they abused that gift."

The Hill reported that not all Republicans are on board with Trump's talk of taking back control of the Panama Canal, though, as some laughed off the idea or downplayed it as little more than "aspirational" or a negotiating ploy.

Yet, most recognize how important the Canal is to the U.S. economy plus domestic and foreign trade, as well as the risks posed by China having any sort of control or influence over the operation of that critical connection between the East and West.