Overview
Title
An Act To rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to change the name of the big water area between the U.S. and Mexico from "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America" in all government papers and maps, and to do it quickly.
Summary AI
H.R. 276, also known as the “Gulf of America Act,” proposes to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” The bill requires that any mention of the Gulf of Mexico in U.S. laws, regulations, maps, and official documents be changed to the "Gulf of America." The Secretary of the Interior, through the Board on Geographic Names, is responsible for ensuring that all federal records reflect this name change within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Passed by the House of Representatives on May 8, 2025, this legislation seeks to implement this name change across all federal agencies and documents.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
House Bill 276, titled the "Gulf of America Act," proposes to change the name of the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America." This change would affect all references in U.S. laws, maps, regulations, and official documents. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with overseeing the renaming process, and federal agencies are required to update their documents and maps within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 8, 2025.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the key issues with this bill is its potential to create international confusion. The Gulf of Mexico is a significant geographical feature known globally, and changing its name might lead to misunderstandings in international communications and agreements.
Another concern is financial. The bill does not address the potential costs associated with updating every federal document and map, which could lead to significant expenses.
The timeframe provided for these updates—180 days—might not be practical for all federal agencies, leading to potential inefficiencies and challenges in implementation.
Additionally, the bill lacks a clear explanation of the purpose and potential benefits of the renaming, making the proposal appear arbitrary or unnecessary to stakeholders and the public.
A further issue is that the bill does not consider how this change may affect international treaties or agreements that currently reference the Gulf of Mexico. Such an oversight could have implications for international relations and legal obligations.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
From a public perspective, this bill might affect how Americans and people globally interact with geographical information. A sudden renaming could necessitate re-education and adjustments, especially in educational contexts where the Gulf of Mexico is a well-established part of geography curricula.
Federal agencies are directly impacted, needing to allocate resources and labor to update documents, maps, and systems within a challenging 180-day period. This may strain existing budgets and operational capacities, potentially diverting focus from other important duties.
Internationally, the ramifications are complex. Neighboring countries and entities that engage in treaties involving the Gulf of Mexico might question the motivations behind the renaming, potentially leading to diplomatic discussions or revisions in bilateral agreements.
Overall, the breadth and implications of these changes extend beyond U.S. borders, affecting various stakeholders, from policymakers and educators to international partners and organizations. The potential for significant confusion and cost, combined with unclear benefits, marks critical concerns regarding the viability and utility of this legislative proposal.
Issues
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America may lead to confusion internationally, as this is a major geographical location known by its current name globally. This is related to Section 2.
The cost implications of updating all federal documents and maps have not been considered or outlined, potentially leading to significant federal spending. This issue is particularly tied to Section 2(c)(1) and (2).
The timeline of 180 days for updating every federal document and map may not be realistic for all federal agencies, leading to potential inefficiencies. This concern is connected to Section 2(c)(2).
The purpose and benefits of the renaming are not stated, which could make the proposal appear arbitrary or unnecessary. This issue pertains to Section 2.
There is no mention of how this change will affect international treaties or agreements that reference the Gulf of Mexico. This issue relates to Section 2.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section of the bill states that the official short title of the Act is the “Gulf of America Act.”
2. Renaming of Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill section proposes changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and requires all U.S. references, such as laws and maps, to use this new name. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to oversee the change, and all federal agencies must update their documents and maps within 180 days after the law is enacted.