WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 276 · 119th Congress

Gulf of America Act

Passed HousePublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedJan 9, 2025
Passed HouseMay 8, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, May 12, 2025: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 73. The House passed it 211–206. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 276 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as placed on the Senate calendar (May 12, 2025).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Renaming of Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America"
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Gulf of America Act of 2025

    This bill renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and directs federal agencies to update their documents and maps to incorporate the new name.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 9, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. May 12, 2025Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 73.Senate
    2. May 8, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    3. May 8, 2025On passage Passed by recorded vote: 211 - 206 (Roll no. 122). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1914) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    4. May 8, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 211 - 206 (Roll no. 122). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1914) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    5. May 8, 2025On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 203 - 213 (Roll no. 121). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    6. May 8, 2025The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
    7. May 8, 2025Mr. Huffman moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H1920)House floor actions
    8. May 8, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
    9. May 8, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 276.House floor actions
    10. May 8, 2025Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
    11. May 8, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 377. (consideration: CR H1914-1921)House floor actions
    12. May 8, 2025Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.Senate
    13. May 5, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 377 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 276 and H.R. 881 under a closed rule with one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.House floor actions
    14. Apr 30, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 60.House floor actions
    15. Apr 30, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-85.House floor actions
    16. Apr 30, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-85.Library of Congress
    17. Apr 9, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 17.House committee actions
    18. Apr 9, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    19. Apr 9, 2025Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries DischargedHouse committee actions
    20. Mar 25, 2025Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
    21. Mar 18, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.House committee actions
    22. Jan 9, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
    23. Jan 9, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    24. Jan 9, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. May 8, 2025 · HousePassed 211–206
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
      On Passage · needed a majority
      R 211 yes, 1 noD 0 yes, 205 noEach member · Record
    1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
    1. May 8, 2025 · HouseFailed 203–213
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn no
      On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
      R 1 yes, 213 noD 202 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Brian Babin R-TX-36
    • Eric Burlison R-MO-7
    • Mike Collins R-GA-10
    • Brandon Gill R-TX-26
    • Mike Haridopolos R-FL-8
    • Nicholas A. Langworthy R-NY-23
    • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
    • John J. McGuire III R-VA-5
    • Mary E. Miller R-IL-15
    • Barry Moore R-AL-1
    • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22
    • Andrew Ogles R-TN-5
    Show 5 more cosponsors
    • Michael A. Rulli R-OH-6
    • W. Gregory Steube R-FL-17
    • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24
    • Randy K. Weber, Sr. R-TX-14
    • Daniel Webster R-FL-11