- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed bills renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in state law and textbooks.
- This action aligns with a previous executive order from former President Trump.
- The change will be reflected in instructional materials purchased after July 1, 2025.
The Sunshine State is claiming dibs on being the first to officially recognize the Gulf of America as the body of water’s new name.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed two bills (HB 575, HB 549) that rename what’s known as the Gulf of Mexico in state law and public school textbooks.
The measures’ sponsors in the Senate posted photos of themselves with DeSantis in the governor’s Capitol office, holding blue Sharpies and gripping green “Gulf of America” road signs.
“Florida is proud to follow the leadership of President Trump as the first state to officially recognize the Gulf of America,” said Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, in a statement. “American exceptionalism isn’t an abstract idea. It is an absolute fact that we must recognize and celebrate. In Florida, we will always put America first.”
Added Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota: “These bills, now Florida law, ensure we reflect that fact across state government and, most importantly, in our schools. It is our responsibility to ensure our children understand American greatness.”
The moves follow up on Trump’s executive order, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Denali, a mountain in Alaska, back to Mount McKinley.
The bills change the name of the body of water that borders almost half of Florida to the Gulf of America in state law and direct state agencies and school districts to adopt instructional materials that include this change after July 1 of this year.
Specifically, they require all new purchases of instructional “geographic materials,” like textbooks, and additions to media center libraries to refer to the Gulf of America.
What happens next: Gulf of Mexico name change for Florida textbooks and laws signed. When will it happen?
Notably missing from the bill signing, at least according to the photos released, were any members of the Florida House.
The governor and GOP House leadership have been at odds for months, culminating in a fight over First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida initiative, a conservative alternative to welfare. The House has demanded transparency after questions arose over its income and spending.
More: DeSantis lashes out over Hope Florida: GOP House leaders ‘stabbing voters in the back’
This story contains previously published material. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL.
