In a move steeped in symbolism and a bit of political theater, the U.S. House on Thursday officially embraced a controversial rebranding by renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” at the behest of former President Donald Trump.

Now, a wave of support is sweeping through several coastal states. Florida and Louisiana officials are already on board, and Texas lawmakers are advancing bills recognizing the name change.

But in Alabama, the tide has yet to fully turn. With just one day left in the legislative session, lawmakers face a deadline to decide whether the state will follow suit — or stand as one of two holdouts on the shoreline along with Mississippi, which hasn’t introduced a bill yet.

“Obviously, we only have one day left,” said Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, the sponsor of HB247, which requires all state and local entities and their employees to use the term Gulf of America “in all newly created maps, documents, educational materials, websites, official communications, and other resources.”

“The Senate has a lot to consider,” Standridge said. “But I’m obviously hoping they do take the Gulf of America bill up.”

Recovering from setback

The legislation faced a small setback late last month after the Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government voted 4-4 on the legislation, stopping its advancement to the full Senate floor by one day.

While Democratic lawmakers overwhelmingly oppose the name change, the committee’s Aug. 29 vote included one “No” by a Republican – Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn. He could not be reached for comment about his vote.

Standridge said that Hovey was initially concerned with a fiscal note attached to the bill. He said that once those concerns were resolved, the bill was reconsidered and voted out of the committee.

“It only slowed it down for one day, so I don’t know if it would have mattered on the timing right now,” Standridge said, adding that the fiscal note wasn’t straight-forward in describing that there was no financial burden on an entity by adopting the name change.

Democratic lawmakers overwhelmingly disapprove of the name change. They hope lawmakers won’t attempt to pass it before the 2025 spring session officially concludes on Wednesday.

They may get their wish. Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, indicated on Wednesday that local bills will receive priority during the final legislative day.

Democratic lawmakers also did their part to slow down the legislative calendar on Wednesday by engaging in a lengthy filibuster on legislation that changes the make-up of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

“We have so many other issues affecting the people we serve with this economy, with people being laid off and the programs being cut, so why are wasting our time on frivolous things like this?” said Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile.

The legislation doesn’t include punitive measures to mandate the name changes. It also includes language that allows educators to use the Gulf of Mexico name as a historical reference.

The U.S. House codified Trump’s executive order as the Republican-led chamber voted 211-206 to change the name of the body of water. It still faces an uphill battle in getting passed out of the U.S. Senate.

“I proudly represent a district on the Gulf of America, which plays a vital role in our economy, energy independence, and national security,” said U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise. “I support President Trump’s mission to reclaim this beautiful body of water and give it a name that honors our nation.”

Museum name

The biggest lift toward changing the name in Alabama appears to be with a museum in downtown Mobile.

Representatives with the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, in a statement last month, said they were planning to scrub “Mexico” from the museum’s name. But as for now, “America” will not be added. The new proposal suggests the museum’s name will be the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf.

It will be the facility’s second name change in as many years. A comprehensive rebranding occurred about a year ago, which included removing the name “GulfQuest” from the museum’s title in order to stick with the more basic name authorized about 15 years ago through a congressional designation, “National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico.”

“The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico will be changing its name to the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf,” said Karen Poth, the museum’s executive director. “This change reflects the museum’s commitment to celebrating the rich history, ecology, and economic impact of this incredible body of water. Known by many names throughout its history, the Gulf has played a profound role in shaping the economy and culture of Mobile and other coastal communities from Texas to Florida.”

Mike Lee, the museum board’s chairman, said that the board has not officially endorsed the name change, though he supports Poth’s statement.

He also said it would be helpful for Alabama state lawmakers to provide guidance.

“I’ve heard people on both sides saying, ‘we’d like to say we’re following the law’ and whatever is in the code instead of making our political decision that says which way is the best way to go,” Lee said. “If (the legislature) codifies it, we have direction. If they don’t, we’re in limbo on what they want to do.”

He said without legislation adopted in Alabama, the board will likely stick with National Maritime Museum of the Gulf – sans, Mexico or America.

Standridge said he is hopeful museum officials will consider the president’s executive order and include “Gulf of America.”

He called the current name a “start” toward making that happen.

“I do appreciate them making moves to change,” Standridge said. “I think they recognize that is what is happening in the nation. I think that is a step toward the Gulf of America name. I hope they do that in the future.”

For now, Standridge said he hopes to get the renaming bill passed out of the Senate. Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, is carrying the bill in the Senate. He noted that Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, during her annual State of the State address in February, used the “Gulf of America” name in her speech.

Trump, himself, linked Alabama to the Gulf of America during his speech before the spring 2025 graduating class at the University of Alabama last week.

“Governor (Kay) Ivey has embraced the new name in the many statements she has released, so I am hopeful the Senate will take the bill up next week,” Standridge said.