US Federal House Bill HB3326

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/13/25
• Refer: 5/13/25

Caption

Persian Gulf Act

Summary

HB3326, titled the Persian Gulf Act, would bar the use of federal funds to rename the Persian Gulf. It also provides that no U.S. law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other federal record may refer to the Persian Gulf by any different name unless Congress expressly authorizes that change. The bill is framed as a naming and terminology measure rather than a broader foreign policy or appropriations bill. In practical terms, the bill would preserve the use of the term "Persian Gulf" in federal government materials and prevent federal agencies from spending money on any effort to adopt or promote an alternative name. It would affect federal agencies, official publications, maps, and records, and would limit executive-branch discretion in how the body of water is labeled in U.S. government materials.

Impact

The bill would add a statutory restriction on the use of federal funds for renaming the Persian Gulf and would constrain federal references to that body of water unless Congress specifically authorizes a different name. Its effect would be on federal agencies and federal publications, not on state law, though it could influence how federally produced maps, documents, and educational or diplomatic materials are labeled. The measure would reinforce the existing federal usage of "Persian Gulf" and create a legal barrier to any administrative change in terminology.

Sentiment

Based on the available record, the bill appears to have a straightforward, protective framing and no recorded committee debate or votes showing opposition or support. The introduction by the sponsor and referral to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs suggest it was treated as a foreign affairs naming issue. With no transcripts or votes available, there is no documented bipartisan or partisan sentiment in the provided materials beyond the bill’s clear intent to preserve the current name.

Contention

The central point of contention is the naming of the Persian Gulf itself: the bill would prohibit federal use of any alternative name absent express congressional authorization. Supporters would likely view this as preserving historical and diplomatic consistency, while opponents could see it as limiting flexibility in foreign policy or terminology. Because there are no committee transcripts or votes in the record provided, specific arguments from members are not available, but the dispute is inherently about whether Congress should lock in one geographic name for federal use.