BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.C.R. 37 89R16569 KSM-F By: Creighton Economic Development 3/20/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.C.R. 37 recognizes the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to the economic strength of the United States and the State of Texas. The resolution states that the Texas Legislature supports continued investment in Texas ports and infrastructure to maximize the benefits of global trade and ensure long-term economic competitiveness. The resolution calls on the Trump Administration to prioritize diplomatic engagement with Panama to maintain the security, efficiency, and accessibility of the canal for U.S. commerce. The resolution also states that the Texas Legislature encourages policies that enhance the ability of Texas industries to compete in global markets through reliable and cost-effective shipping channels, and the Texas Legislature calls for collaboration between federal, state, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen supply chain resilience and safeguard U.S. economic interests. S.C.R. 37 recognizes the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to the economic strength of the United States and the State of Texas. The Panama Canal is a vital maritime passage that facilitates trade and ensures the efficient movement of goods between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The expansion of the Panama Canal has significantly increased the volume of cargo passing through the waterway, benefiting the shipping industry and the economies of the United States and Texas. The ports of Texas, including but not limited to the Port of Houston, the Port of Corpus Christi, and the Port of Galveston, serve as critical hubs and are directly impacted by the efficiency and security of the Panama Canal. Texas ports handle a substantial portion of U.S. exports, including energy products such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, and refined petroleum, as well as agricultural goods and manufactured products. The economic prosperity of the State of Texas and the broader United States depends on the continued free flow of goods through the Panama Canal to support supply chains, trade agreements, and domestic industries. Ensuring the security and stability of the Panama Canal is essential for maintaining U.S. national security interests, preventing disruptions of trade, and countering foreign influence in the region. Investments in Texas ports, infrastructure, and trade partnerships reinforce the strategic position of the United States as a global economic leader. RESOLVED That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby recognize the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to the economic strength of the United States and the State of Texas. That the Texas Legislature support continued investment in Texas ports and infrastructure to maximize the benefits of global trade and ensure long-term economic competitiveness. That the Texas Legislature urge the Trump Administration to prioritize diplomatic engagement with Panama to maintain the security, efficiency, and accessibility of the canal for U.S. commerce. That the Texas Legislature encourage policies that enhance the ability of Texas industries to compete in global markets through reliable and cost-effective shipping channels. That the Texas Legislature call for collaboration between federal, state, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen supply chain resilience and safeguard U.S. economic interests. That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.C.R. 37
89R16569 KSM-F By: Creighton
Economic Development
3/20/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.C.R. 37
89R16569 KSM-F
By: Creighton
Economic Development
3/20/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.C.R. 37 recognizes the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to the economic strength of the United States and the State of Texas. The resolution states that the Texas Legislature supports continued investment in Texas ports and infrastructure to maximize the benefits of global trade and ensure long-term economic competitiveness. The resolution calls on the Trump Administration to prioritize diplomatic engagement with Panama to maintain the security, efficiency, and accessibility of the canal for U.S. commerce. The resolution also states that the Texas Legislature encourages policies that enhance the ability of Texas industries to compete in global markets through reliable and cost-effective shipping channels, and the Texas Legislature calls for collaboration between federal, state, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen supply chain resilience and safeguard U.S. economic interests.
S.C.R. 37 recognizes the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to the economic strength of the United States and the State of Texas.
The Panama Canal is a vital maritime passage that facilitates trade and ensures the efficient movement of goods between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The expansion of the Panama Canal has significantly increased the volume of cargo passing through the waterway, benefiting the shipping industry and the economies of the United States and Texas.
The ports of Texas, including but not limited to the Port of Houston, the Port of Corpus Christi, and the Port of Galveston, serve as critical hubs and are directly impacted by the efficiency and security of the Panama Canal.
Texas ports handle a substantial portion of U.S. exports, including energy products such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, and refined petroleum, as well as agricultural goods and manufactured products.
The economic prosperity of the State of Texas and the broader United States depends on the continued free flow of goods through the Panama Canal to support supply chains, trade agreements, and domestic industries.
Ensuring the security and stability of the Panama Canal is essential for maintaining U.S. national security interests, preventing disruptions of trade, and countering foreign influence in the region.
Investments in Texas ports, infrastructure, and trade partnerships reinforce the strategic position of the United States as a global economic leader.
RESOLVED
That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby recognize the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to the economic strength of the United States and the State of Texas.
That the Texas Legislature support continued investment in Texas ports and infrastructure to maximize the benefits of global trade and ensure long-term economic competitiveness.
That the Texas Legislature urge the Trump Administration to prioritize diplomatic engagement with Panama to maintain the security, efficiency, and accessibility of the canal for U.S. commerce.
That the Texas Legislature encourage policies that enhance the ability of Texas industries to compete in global markets through reliable and cost-effective shipping channels.
That the Texas Legislature call for collaboration between federal, state, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen supply chain resilience and safeguard U.S. economic interests.
That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.