HR3326-119

What This Bill Does

The Persian Gulf Act is a naming and records restriction. It prohibits federal funds from being obligated or spent to rename the Persian Gulf unless Congress expressly authorizes the change. It also bars any law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other U.S. record from referring to the Persian Gulf by a different name unless Congress expressly authorizes the alternative. The practical effect is to make Persian Gulf terminology mandatory across federal records and mapping unless Congress acts later.

Who Benefits and How

Persian Gulf naming advocates benefit because federal records must keep using that term absent express congressional authorization. Congress benefits because any federal renaming requires explicit legislative authorization. Users of federal maps benefit from a stable federal naming rule for the Persian Gulf. Diplomatic observers benefit from a clear statutory statement of U.S. naming policy.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federal map offices must ensure maps and geographic products do not use a different name without congressional authorization. State Department geographic naming staff must apply the statutory naming rule in diplomatic documents and records. Federal records managers must check laws, regulations, documents, papers, and other records for compliance. Executive branch officials lose discretion to adopt an alternative name using appropriated funds.

Key Provisions

• Bars federal funds from being used to rename the Persian Gulf without express congressional authorization.
• Prohibits U.S. laws, maps, regulations, documents, papers, and records from using a different name without authorization.
• Preserves congressional control over any future federal renaming decision.
• Applies the naming restriction across federal records and mapping products.