Marjorie Taylor Greene Introduces Bill to Rename Gulf of Mexico

January 10, 2025 by Dan McCue
Marjorie Taylor Greene Introduces Bill to Rename Gulf of Mexico
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. (Photo by Dan McCue)

WASHINGTON — Just days after President-elect Donald Trump suggested he plans to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., introduced a measure that would do just that.

“The American people are footing the bill to protect and secure the maritime waterways for commerce to be conducted. Our U.S. armed forces protect the area from any military threats from foreign countries. It’s our gulf,” Greene said in a written statement announcing the introduction of the bill.

“The rightful name is the Gulf of America and it’s what the entire world should refer to it as,” she said.

Trump announced his heretofore undisclosed plan for the Gulf during a freewheeling news conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Tuesday.

“We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” he said. “Gulf of America — what a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate.”

Trump did not say how he intended to effect the change, but left no doubt he was serious.

“We’re going to change it,” he said. “We do most of the work there … and it’s ours.”

On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had a little fun at Trump’s expense, opening her own news conference in Mexico City with a 17th Century map of North and South America as a backdrop.

On the map, drafted in 1607, the cartographer labeled North America, including the area that would become the United States, “America Mexicana.”

“Obviously the Gulf of Mexico is recognized by the United Nations, but why don’t we call this ‘Mexican America'”? Sheinbaum said, gesturing toward an area on the map roughly corresponding to Texas and Oklahoma.

Greene’s response was rolled into her statement on introducing the bill.

“Mexican cartels currently use the Gulf of Mexico to traffic humans, drugs, weapons, and God knows what else while the Mexican government allows them to do it,” she said.

There is some precedent to a president changing a geographic place name.

In August 2015, President Barack Obama signed an executive order changing the name of Mount McKinley in Alaska, the nation’s tallest peak, from “McKinley” to “Denali,” the name it had before being dedicated to honor the assassinated President William McKinley in 1917.

At the time, administration officials explained Obama wanted to highlight the effects of climate change in the Arctic, and “recognize the sacred status of Denali to generations of Alaska Natives.”

They also noted that President McKinley never visited the mountain and had no historical connection to it or the state of Alaska for that matter.

There are also numerous examples of large bodies of water being known by more than one name. 

The classic example is the body of water that separates Iran from Saudi Arabia. Most of us think of it as the “Persian Gulf,” but Saudi Arabia, a major U.S. ally, calls it the “Arabian Gulf.”

Interestingly, because of our close military ties, the U.S. Navy has also adopted the name “Arabian Gulf.” 

However, the U.S. Board of Geographic names, the authority on geographic names that is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, mandates that “Persian Gulf” be used in all other circumstances.

Greene’s bill directs the chairman of the Board on Geographic Names to rename all federal documents and maps within 180 days of the change being signed into law.

Urging her colleagues to pass the legislation quickly, Greene added, “This is a piece of day one legislation that can easily be awaiting President Trump’s signature the moment he takes his oath of office.”

The bill already has 14 cosponsors. They are Reps. Mary Miller, R-Ill., Barry Moore, R-Ala., Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., Mike Collins, R-Ga., Randy Weber, R-Texas, Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., Greg Steube, R-Fla., Eric Burlison, R-Mo., Brian Babin, R-Texas, Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, Troy Nehls, R-Texas, and Brandon Gill, R-Texas.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue

A+
a-
  • Donald Trump
  • Gulf of Mexico
  • Marjorie Taylor Greene
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Congress

    July 11, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    New Dems Roundtable Focuses on ‘Big Bill’s’ Impact on Clean Energy

    WASHINGTON — Members of the New Democrat Coalition traveled to Garner, North Carolina, on Friday to speak with voters about... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Members of the New Democrat Coalition traveled to Garner, North Carolina, on Friday to speak with voters about why they believe the sweeping domestic policy package their Republican colleagues passed last week will stymie the growth of a new, clean energy economy. The event... Read More

    Democrats See Trump’s Big Bill as Key to Their Comeback

    WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — It is big and it is beautiful, President Donald Trump says. But for many Democratic leaders, the tax... Read More

    WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — It is big and it is beautiful, President Donald Trump says. But for many Democratic leaders, the tax break and spending cut package passed by Trump's Republican allies in Congress on Thursday represents the key to the Democratic Party's resurgence. Even before the final vote,... Read More

    July 3, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    House Passes ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ White House Signing Ceremony Planned for Friday

    WASHINGTON — House Republicans passed the so-called “big, beautiful bill” on Thursday, sending it on to the White House where... Read More

    WASHINGTON — House Republicans passed the so-called “big, beautiful bill” on Thursday, sending it on to the White House where President Donald Trump is planning a signing ceremony for Friday. The 218-214 vote in the chamber was a high victory for both the president and House... Read More

    July 3, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    Bipartisan Support Grows for Keeping AM Radio in Cars

    WASHINGTON — Though it has yet to be scheduled for a vote in the current Congress, momentum continues to build... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Though it has yet to be scheduled for a vote in the current Congress, momentum continues to build behind legislation that would force automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge to consumers. At present, the proposed AM Radio... Read More

    House Republicans Race Toward a Final Vote on Trump's Tax Bill, Daring Critics to Oppose

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's tax and spending... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a Wednesday vote on President Donald Trump's tax and spending cuts package, determined to seize momentum from a hard-fought vote in the Senate while essentially daring members to defy their party's leader and vote against it.... Read More

    June 26, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    Harlem Hellfighters to Receive Congressional Gold Medal in September

    WASHINGTON — Their bravery knew no bounds during the first World War, and come September the descendants of the Harlem... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Their bravery knew no bounds during the first World War, and come September the descendants of the Harlem Hellfighters will finally see their heroic loved ones receive the Congressional Gold Medal for their tenacity and sacrifice. The Hellfighters, for those not up on their... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top