TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – Florida lawmakers have taken a major step toward renaming the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida House voted this week to approve two House bills – HB 549 and HB 575, which would officially update the name to the Gulf of America in school textbooks and state laws.
Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, sponsored the legislation, saying it follows a directive from President Donald Trump. “The new designation is much more than a simple name change,” Porras said. “It is a declaration that the United States is a global leader in the vanguard of democracy of the free world.”
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The House passed HB 549 by a vote of 78-29 and HB 575 by a vote of 78-27. Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about the move. “It should not be allowed for one person, whether they’re our president or not, to change history with just a few spoken words,” said Rep. Felicia Robinson, D-Miami Gardens. She said the effort “prioritizes political messaging.”
352today readers were quite vocal on Facebook when asked what they would be calling the Gulf. “I think Gulf of America covers it all. Mexico is in the Americas,” commented Phil Mangano. Mary Ferrell posted in support of keeping it as is: “Of course it’s the Gulf of Mexico. It’s such a silly thing to argue over. There are so many more important things to think about.” Others just kept it simple, like Kim Lynette Sandstrom who wrote, “The Gulf. That is what I am calling it.”
Florida agencies, including the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, have already begun updating documents to reflect the change. Companion bills in the Senate (SB 1058 and SB 608) are awaiting floor votes. If approved and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the changes would take effect July 1.