Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 276) to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America", and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 881) to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucius Institutes, and for other purposes.

Bill Number: H.Res. 377
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-05-06: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Last Updated: 2025-10-09T03:26:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution (H. Res. 377) establishes special procedural rules in the U.S. House of Representatives to facilitate the consideration and potential passage of two specific bills: H.R. 276 (to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America") and H.R. 881 (to impose Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on colleges and universities with ties to Confucius Institutes, which are Chinese government-funded cultural and language centers).

Key Provisions

For H.R. 276 (Gulf Renaming Bill):
Waives all points of order (procedural objections) against considering the bill.
Automatically adopts the amendment recommended by the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Treats the amended bill as already read, bypassing the usual reading process.
Orders the "previous question" (a motion to end debate and proceed to a vote) on the bill and any further amendments, limiting interruptions.
Allows 1 hour of debate, split equally between the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources (or their designees).
Permits one motion to recommit (send the bill back to committee for changes).

For H.R. 881 (Confucius Institute Funding Restrictions Bill):
Waives all points of order against considering the bill.
Replaces the Committee on Homeland Security's recommended amendment with the text from Rules Committee Print 119-2 (a pre-approved substitute version).
Treats the amended bill as already read.
Orders the previous question on the bill and any further amendments.
Allows 1 hour of debate, split equally between the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security (or their designees).
Permits one motion to recommit.

These rules apply immediately upon the resolution's adoption and streamline the bills' path to a vote.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution itself introduces no direct changes to existing law, as it is a procedural measure (a "special rule") used by the House Rules Committee to control debate and amendments. However, it paves the way for H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 to potentially become law if passed by the House and Senate, and signed by the President. H.R. 276 would amend geographic naming conventions under federal law, while H.R. 881 would add new restrictions on federal funding tied to foreign influence in U.S. education.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could face new administrative burdens under H.R. 881 to enforce funding restrictions, potentially affecting grant allocations to universities. For H.R. 276, agencies like the Department of the Interior or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration might need to update maps, signage, and official documents, incurring minor costs.
On Citizens: Limited direct impact, but H.R. 881 could influence higher education access to federal funds, indirectly affecting students and faculty at affected institutions. H.R. 276's renaming might spark cultural or symbolic debates but would not alter daily life or property rights.
On International Relations: H.R. 276 could strain ties with Mexico, Cuba, and other Gulf-bordering nations by unilaterally renaming a shared body of water, potentially complicating diplomatic or trade discussions. H.R. 881 targets Chinese influence, which might escalate U.S.-China tensions over educational exchanges and intellectual property concerns.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Congressional Committees: House Committee on Natural Resources (for H.R. 276) and House Committee on Homeland Security (for H.R. 881), including their chairs and ranking members who control debate.
Institutions of Higher Education: Colleges and universities with Confucius Institute affiliations, facing potential loss of DHS funding under H.R. 881.
Federal Agencies: DHS (enforcement of funding rules) and mapping/document agencies (implementation of renaming under H.R. 276).
International Entities: Governments of Mexico, other Gulf nations, and China, due to symbolic or policy implications.
General Public: U.S. citizens involved in education, research, or Gulf-related activities (e.g., fishing, shipping), though effects are mostly indirect.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: The resolution adheres to House rules for special procedures, ensuring compliance with Article I of the U.S. Constitution (which grants Congress control over its internal processes). If enacted, H.R. 881 could raise First Amendment questions about academic freedom if funding cuts are seen as restricting speech, though it focuses on foreign ties rather than content. H.R. 276 involves no major legal hurdles but might require coordination with international treaties on maritime boundaries.
Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's procedural autonomy but highlights partisan use of rules to fast-track bills, potentially limiting minority input beyond the allotted debate.
Political: As a product of the 119th Congress (2025–2026), it reflects priorities like national symbolism (H.R. 276) and countering foreign influence (H.R. 881). The streamlined process could accelerate passage in a divided Congress but risks backlash for bypassing broader debate, emphasizing rules committee power in agenda-setting.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]

Recent Actions

2025-05-06: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-05-06: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 213 - 209 (Roll no. 118). (text: CR H1865) (Roll call 118)
2025-05-06: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 213 - 209 (Roll no. 118). (text: CR H1865) (Roll call 118)
2025-05-06: On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 200 (Roll no. 117). (Roll call 117)
2025-05-06: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1868-1869)
2025-05-06: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 377, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Scanlon demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2025-05-06: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 377.
2025-05-06: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H1864-1868)
2025-05-05: Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 26.
2025-05-05: 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.
2025-05-05: The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-89, by Mr. Scott, Austin.
2025-05-05: The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-89, by Mr. Scott, Austin.

Bill Versions

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 276) to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘‘Gulf of America”, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 881) to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucius Institutes, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (2 pages)
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 276) to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America", and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 881) to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucius Institutes, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (4 pages)