Persian Gulf Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3326
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-04T04:11:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Persian Gulf Act," aims to prevent any renaming of the Persian Gulf using U.S. federal funds and to ensure that official U.S. references to the body of water continue to use the name "Persian Gulf" unless Congress explicitly approves a change. This reinforces the traditional naming convention in U.S. policy and documentation.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is officially named the "Persian Gulf Act."
- Funding Prohibition: No federal funds may be appropriated or made available for the purpose of renaming the Persian Gulf, regardless of other laws.
- Reference Restrictions: U.S. laws, maps, regulations, documents, papers, or other records are prohibited from using any name other than "Persian Gulf" without direct authorization from Congress.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new explicit ban on using federal resources for renaming the Persian Gulf, which was not previously codified in this manner. It also mandates congressional approval for any alternative naming in official U.S. materials, overriding potential inconsistencies in prior practices or international influences without such oversight.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Agencies like the State Department, Defense Department, and mapping bodies (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey) will be restricted from adopting or promoting alternative names in official communications, publications, or maps, potentially requiring reviews of existing materials.
- Citizens: Direct effects on individuals are limited, but it preserves the use of "Persian Gulf" in education, media, and public records, avoiding confusion from name changes.
- International Relations: The Act could signal U.S. support for the "Persian Gulf" nomenclature, which is favored by Iran and historically used by the U.S., potentially straining relations with Arab nations that prefer "Arabian Gulf." It may influence diplomatic discussions on regional naming disputes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Federal Government: Including Congress, executive agencies involved in foreign policy, mapping, and education.
- Iran and Persian Gulf Littoral States: Countries bordering the Gulf, such as Iran (which strongly advocates for "Persian Gulf") and Arab states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE (which use "Arabian Gulf").
- International Organizations: Bodies like the United Nations or shipping authorities that reference geographic names in treaties or navigation.
- Academic and Media Entities: U.S.-based educators, publishers, and journalists who rely on official naming standards.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The provision leverages Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending (via the Appropriations Clause) to enforce naming consistency, potentially setting a precedent for restricting executive discretion in symbolic or diplomatic matters.
- Constitutional: It aligns with Congress's power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, including official documentation, but could face challenges if seen as infringing on executive foreign affairs powers.
- Political: The bill serves as a symbolic affirmation of U.S. historical naming practices amid ongoing geopolitical sensitivities in the Middle East, possibly influencing bilateral relations or U.S. positions in international forums without altering broader foreign policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-13: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1990)
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Persian Gulf Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (2 pages)