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House Approves Bill to Rename Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of America, reflecting the cultural and economic significance of the region.

News Summary

The House of Representatives passed a bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, largely along party lines. Introduced by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the bill follows an executive order by former President Trump. Critics argue the change distracts from more pressing issues as a majority of Americans oppose the renaming. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it may face significant hurdles.

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives officially approved a bill on Thursday aimed at renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The legislation, introduced by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, was passed with a vote of 211-206, largely along party lines. All Democrats opposed the bill, while nearly all Republicans supported it, with the exception of Nebraska Representative Don Bacon.

The newly passed measure codifies an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump on his first day in office and mandates that federal agencies revise their documents and maps to reflect the name change within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. This process will be overseen by the Secretary of the Interior.

Representative Greene, in celebration of the passage, described the legislation as a significant achievement for the country and urged the Senate to move quickly to pass the bill. Conversely, Democrats have criticized the legislation, suggesting it detracts attention from pressing national issues such as rising inflation and unemployment. House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries labeled the bill as “silly, small-minded and sycophantic,” illustrating the stark division in opinion surrounding this initiative.

The name “Gulf of Mexico” has been in usage for over 400 years, with its origins traced back to Spanish influence in the region. Proponents of the name change argue that it reflects the economic and cultural significance of the United States in the area. However, research, such as a Marquette University poll, indicates that a substantial majority (71%) of Americans oppose the renaming. Critics from the Democratic Party have called the legislative move a “waste of time,” emphasizing the need for Congress to focus on substantive economic issues affecting American families rather than renaming geographical features.

Notably, the estimated cost of updating federal documents and maps to reflect the new name is anticipated to be under $500,000 over the next five years, creating concerns around misallocated taxpayer funds. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to encounter increased challenges and will likely require some level of Democratic support for passage.

Furthermore, Greene has actively promoted the Gulf of America Act through her fundraising efforts, selling merchandise with the new name on her website. She has argued that opposition from Democrats stems primarily from an aversion to Trump rather than legitimate concerns regarding the legislation.

As the discussion surrounding this bill continues, it highlights the ongoing partisan divisions in Congress and raises questions about the priorities of lawmakers as they navigate the needs of their constituents in the midst of complex economic challenges.