House Rules Committee clears closed rule to advance bill renaming Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’

The House Committee on Rules voted to report a closed rule that would allow floor consideration of H.R. 276, the Gulf of America Act, a measure that would codify President Trump’s earlier renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” The committee accepted the rule by voice and recorded votes, sending the measure to the House floor under a closed rule that waives points of order, provides one hour of general debate, and allows one motion to recommit.

The measure drew sharply divergent testimony from members and witnesses about cost, historical precedent and what supporters described as symbolism tied to U.S. energy interests. Representative Hageman (Representative, Committee on Natural Resources; Chair, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries) testified that “H.R. 276 will codify President Trump’s historic action to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America” and…