A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration relating to "Pipeline Safety: Editorial Change To Reflect the Name Change of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America".
Summary
SJR74 is a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would disapprove a rule issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) titled “Pipeline Safety: Editorial Change To Reflect the Name Change of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.” The resolution targets a Federal Register notice published on May 20, 2025, and states that the rule would have no force or effect if Congress adopts the resolution.
The measure does not appear to change pipeline safety standards, inspection requirements, or other substantive hazardous materials regulations. Instead, it would nullify an editorial or nomenclature update in PHMSA materials that reflects a federal name change from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. As written, its legal effect is limited to blocking that specific administrative rule and preserving the prior terminology in the affected regulatory context.
Impact
If enacted, the resolution would invalidate the PHMSA rule and prevent the agency from implementing the editorial name change in the pipeline safety regulatory framework. It would not directly amend the underlying pipeline safety statutes, but it would affect how PHMSA labels geographic references in its regulations and related materials, and it would signal congressional disapproval of the agency’s action under chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code.
Sentiment
No committee debate or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of bipartisan support or opposition in the available record. Based on the text, the resolution appears to be a narrow, symbolic measure focused on rejecting a federal naming change rather than altering safety policy. The introduction by Senator Whitehouse suggests at least some interest in challenging the rule, but the overall sentiment in the available materials is limited to the formal filing of the resolution.
Contention
The main point of contention is the underlying administrative decision to rename references from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in PHMSA pipeline safety materials. Supporters of the resolution would likely view the change as unnecessary or improper, while opponents of the disapproval could see it as a routine editorial update or a matter of executive branch discretion. Because no hearing transcript or vote history is included, specific arguments from legislators are not available.