Rep. David Standridge Reintroduces Gulf of America Bill

August 16, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - State Representative David Standridge (R-Hayden) has reintroduced legislation that would require Alabama to officially refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," reigniting a contentious debate over symbolism, federal alignment, and state priorities.

The bill, titled the Gulf of America Act, was first introduced during the 2025 legislative session as House Bill 247. Though it passed the Alabama House on a party-line vote, it ultimately failed in the Senate after a 4–4 committee deadlock. The committee met again and passed it; but the delay in the waning days of the legislative session was deadly given a broader Democratic filibuster. Undeterred, Standridge has filed a new version - House Bill 2 - for the 2026 session.

Aligning with Trump's Executive Order

Standridge's bill seeks to codify a January 2025 executive order issued by former President Donald Trump, which directed federal agencies to adopt the term "Gulf of America" in official communications and materials. Standridge argues that Alabama should follow suit to avoid confusion and ensure consistency across state-purchased resources such as maps, textbooks, and signage.

"A presidential executive order changed the name to the Gulf of America," Standridge told 1819 News. "Now it affects things in our state like resources that have to be purchased - textbooks, maps, things that have to do with our state parks. The reason for the bill is really just to make it clear what they need to purchase."

The bill would require all state and local entities - and their employees - to use "Gulf of America" in official communications, except when doing so would impose an operational or financial burden. It also allows the term "Gulf of Mexico" to be used in academic instruction for historical purposes.

Heated Debate in the House

The original bill sparked intense debate on the House floor in April 2025. Democratic lawmakers, particularly those from South Alabama, questioned the practical benefits of the name change and raised concerns about the cost of rebranding.

Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) challenged the bill's relevance to pressing issues like healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure. "Will renaming the Gulf of Mexico help you to open any rural hospitals in your area?" she asked. "Will it help us to do anything about healthcare in the State of Alabama?"

Drummond also claimed that the rebranding effort could cost millions and undermine Mobile's rich multicultural heritage. "Mobile is an old historic city that's been under French rule, Spanish rule. We have managed to coalesce our history around that," she said. "This name change won't help us recruit more tourists or lower the cost of eggs shipped through the Port of Mobile."

Standridge defended the bill, saying he had spoken with business owners along the coast who supported the change and believed it would enhance branding and patriotism. Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road) also voiced support, noting that name changes for military bases and institutions are not uncommon.

Fiscal and Cultural Concerns

The bill's fiscal note acknowledged that it would increase administrative obligations for state and local governments, though it did not specify a dollar amount. Standridge emphasized that the bill includes exceptions to avoid financial strain, but critics remain skeptical.

Beyond cost, opponents argue that the bill distracts from more urgent legislative priorities. "We're spending precious time with this important body of policymakers and we're focusing on things that are not going to move Alabama forward," Drummond said.

What's Next?

With the 2026 legislative session approaching, Standridge remains optimistic that HB2 will gain traction. "We were very optimistic that it would get through the Senate," he said. "It got mixed up in all the filibusters on the last day."

The bill's fate may hinge on whether Republican leadership prioritizes it amid a crowded legislative agenda. Meanwhile, the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico has announced plans to rename itself the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, citing the federal shift and a desire to reflect the region's evolving identity.