Gulf of America Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 276
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-12: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 73.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T02:23:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Gulf of America Act," aims to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in all U.S. federal contexts, including laws, maps, and documents.
Key Provisions
- Renaming Directive: The Gulf of Mexico is redesignated as the "Gulf of America."
- References Update: Any mention of the "Gulf of Mexico" in U.S. laws, maps, regulations, documents, or records is automatically considered a reference to the "Gulf of America."
- Implementation Responsibilities:
- The Secretary of the Interior, through the Chairman of the Board on Geographic Names (a federal body that standardizes geographic names), oversees updates to federal documents and maps.
- Heads of all federal agencies must update their documents and maps to reflect the new name within 180 days of the law's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This introduces a unilateral change to the official U.S. nomenclature for a major body of water, previously known as the Gulf of Mexico in federal and international usage.
- No prior federal law mandates this renaming; it overrides existing references without requiring amendments to individual statutes, treating them as self-updating.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal entities, such as the Departments of Interior, Defense, and Commerce, will incur costs and administrative efforts to revise maps, publications, and databases. The 180-day deadline may strain resources for agencies handling geographic data.
- On Citizens: U.S. residents may encounter the new name in official materials like national parks guides, educational resources, or NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) charts, potentially causing confusion in everyday or academic contexts.
- On International Relations: The renaming applies only to U.S. usage and does not alter international agreements or maps used by other countries (e.g., Mexico, Cuba). It could strain diplomatic ties with bordering nations, who may view it as a provocative or nationalistic move, potentially affecting cooperation on issues like oil spills, fisheries, or trade.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Federal Government: Agencies responsible for mapping, environmental management, and foreign affairs, including the Board on Geographic Names and the State Department.
- Geographic and Educational Institutions: Cartographers, schools, and universities that rely on federal standards for teaching or research.
- International Partners: Countries bordering the gulf (Mexico, Cuba) and organizations like the United Nations or International Hydrographic Organization, which maintain global naming conventions.
- Industry and Public: Shipping, fishing, and tourism sectors in the U.S. Gulf region, which may need to adapt to dual naming systems in domestic vs. international operations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The law leverages Congress's authority to regulate federal naming conventions (under Article I powers over commerce and territory), but it has no binding effect internationally, where the name "Gulf of Mexico" remains standard under treaties like the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges anticipated, as geographic naming falls within congressional discretion; however, it could invite lawsuits if perceived as infringing on free speech or international comity (respect for foreign sovereignty).
- Political: The act carries symbolic nationalist undertones, potentially polarizing domestic opinion and complicating U.S. foreign policy in the Americas by signaling disregard for shared regional identity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14]
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. McGuire, John [R-VA-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-12: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 73.
- 2025-05-08: Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 2025-05-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-05-08: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 211 - 206 (Roll no. 122). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1914) (Roll call 122)
- 2025-05-08: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 211 - 206 (Roll no. 122). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1914) (Roll call 122)
- 2025-05-08: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 203 - 213 (Roll no. 121). (Roll call 121)
- 2025-05-08: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- 2025-05-08: Mr. Huffman moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H1920)
- 2025-05-08: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2025-05-08: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 276.
- 2025-05-08: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 2025-05-08: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 377. (consideration: CR H1914-1921)
- 2025-05-05: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 377 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 2025-04-30: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 60.
- 2025-04-30: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-85.
Bill Versions
- Gulf of America Act — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (4 pages)
- Gulf of America Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)
- Gulf of America Act — issued 2025-05-12 — PDF (4 pages)
- Gulf of America Act — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (4 pages)