Rep. Dusty Johnson unveiled legislation that would authorize the repurchase of the Panama Canal, giving congressional teeth to President-elect Donald Trump’s wish to take back the strategic waterway.

The Panama Canal Repurchase Act of 2025 would give Mr. Trump, in coordination with the secretary of state, the authority to enter into negotiations with the Panamanian government to buy the canal.

Mr. Trump recently said the U.S. should regain control of the Panama Canal to bolster national security interests, largely over concerns about China’s influence over the operations of the shipping passage.

“President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal,” Mr. Johnson, South Dakota Republican, said in a statement. “China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern. 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.”

Construction teams from the U.S. completed the canal in 1914, and the passage was under full or joint U.S. government control until 1999.

Mr. Johnson argued that the canal was “of strategic importance” to the U.S., and he raised concerns over Panama’s relationship with the Chinese government. He said Panama became a part of China’s Belt and Road initiative in 2018, and that the canal has received infrastructure investments from Chinese firms.

Firms with ties to the Chinese government also have managing rights to a pair of ports on either end of the Panama Canal.

Mr. Trump argued this week that President Jimmy Carter’s decision to sell the canal to the Panamanian government for a symbolic $1 payment was a “disgrace” and did not rule out using military force to retake the shipping lane that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

If the bill passes the House and survives in the narrowly divided Senate, Mr. Trump has 180 days to submit a report to Congress on the progress of the negotiations.

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.