Alabama Senate Committee Approves ‘Gulf of America’ Bill in Emergency Session
In a hastily convened meeting, the Alabama Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved legislation mandating that all state and local entities refer to the body of water bordering Alabama as the "Gulf of America." This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14172, issued on January 20, 2025, which directed the Department of the Interior to change federal references from the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America." (en.wikipedia.org)
The bill, introduced by Representative David Standridge (R-Hayden), requires that all state and local communications, documents, and educational materials use the term "Gulf of America." Standridge emphasized the importance of this change, stating, "This new majority goes against a lot of the tenets of New Testament Christianity that I’ve based 29 years of legislation on. They want to kick immigrants out of the state, they want to drug test Medicaid people, they want to get rid of anything that’s not ‘America’. So I just thought it would be in keeping to introduce a bill to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. It fits right in with what the majority thinking apparently is now." (en.wikipedia.org)
The committee’s swift approval underscores the urgency with which state lawmakers are implementing the federal directive. The bill now proceeds to the full Senate for further consideration. If enacted, Alabama will join other Gulf Coast states in adopting the new nomenclature, reflecting a broader national trend influenced by recent federal actions.
Critics of the bill question the necessity of the name change, suggesting that it may be a politically motivated move rather than a substantive policy shift. However, proponents argue that the change is a step toward asserting a more unified American identity in the region.
As the legislation advances, stakeholders across Alabama are closely monitoring its progress, anticipating potential impacts on education, tourism, and regional branding. The outcome of this legislative effort may set a precedent for other states considering similar actions in response to federal directives.
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