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The House voted 211-206 to pass H.R. 276, which would rename the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" in all federal documents and maps. The vote fell along strict party lines.
This vote was on H.R. 276, the "Gulf of America Act." If signed into law, the bill would officially change the name of the body of water known as the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" for all U.S. government purposes. This change would apply to all federal laws, official maps, and regulations. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior and various federal agencies to update their records and documents within 180 days to reflect the new name. In the House of Representatives, a "Vote on Passage" is the final step for a bill before it is sent to the Senate. To pass, the bill required a simple majority of the members who were present and voting. Because 417 members cast a vote, the minimum number of "yes" votes needed was 209. The bill passed by a narrow margin of 211 to 206, with support coming almost entirely from Republicans while Democrats almost entirely opposed it. The measure now moves to the Senate for further consideration. If the Senate passes the bill and the President signs it, the name change would become official federal policy, triggering a coordinated effort across the government to update thousands of documents and maps.
The bill has been sent to the Senate and placed on their legislative calendar for potential future debate and voting.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. The bill proposes a major symbolic change to national geography, requiring a significant administrative effort to update federal records and maps.
Who’s affected. Federal Agencies: Would be required to identify and update all official documents, digital records, and maps within six months. · Maritime and Science Communities: Would need to adopt new terminology in official communications with the U.S. government regarding the region.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus was united in opposition, with all voting members casting "nay" votes.
Republicans. The Republican caucus almost entirely supported the bill, with only one member breaking from the party to vote against it.
On Passage
May 8, 2025
The House voted 211-206 to pass H.R.
276, which would rename the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" in all federal documents and maps. The vote fell along strict party lines.
This was a final vote in the House of Representatives to approve the bill. A "yes" vote supported the name change and moved the bill to the Senate, while a "no" vote supported keeping the current name.
The bill has been sent to the Senate and placed on their legislative calendar for potential future debate and voting.
The bill proposes a major symbolic change to national geography, requiring a significant administrative effort to update federal records and maps.
The vote was a strict party-line split, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats voting against the measure.
The Democratic caucus was united in opposition, with all voting members casting "nay" votes.
The Republican caucus almost entirely supported the bill, with only one member breaking from the party to vote against it.
The single independent member joined Republicans in voting for the bill.