Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has officially introduced legislation in Congress to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, aligning with a controversial proposal from President-elect Donald Trump.
The congresswoman announced Tuesday that her office is working to advance the measure, framing the move as a step toward reasserting American sovereignty over the maritime region.
In a statement released by her office, Greene explained her motivations for 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. 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. The rightful name is the Gulf of America, and it’s what the entire world should refer to it as.”
The two-page bill focuses exclusively on renaming the Gulf. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to implement the name change across federal maps, documents, and regulations within 180 days of passage. However, the bill does not include provisions addressing border security, drug trafficking, or maritime commerce—issues highlighted by Greene in her statement.
The legislation does not mandate international adoption of the name change, meaning countries like Mexico and other Gulf-bordering nations are not obligated to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of America.
President-elect Trump has floated other dramatic proposals in recent weeks, including absorbing Canada and Greenland into the United States and reclaiming ownership of the Panama Canal. While these ideas have sparked international skepticism, Greene’s bill reflects a broader push to align Congress with Trump’s vision for redefining American influence.
