A proposed bill from a House Republican aims to rename coastal waters around the U.S. in honor of former President Donald Trump, whose administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations during his tenure.
Florida Representative Greg Steube has introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone as the “Donald John Trump Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.” This zone spans approximately 4.3 million nautical miles, extending up to 200 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline and adjacent to the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the U.S. and its territories, according to the National Ocean Service.
“Floridians understand the great value of our coastal natural resources and the importance of having a president who cares about the strength and resilience of our oceans,” Steube stated.
During his presidency, Trump reversed nearly 100 environmental regulations related to clean water, air, and wildlife, sidelined climate scientists, and repeatedly called the climate crisis a “hoax.” His 2024 campaign, supported by the Heritage Foundation-backed Project 2025, promotes a “drill baby drill” slogan for oil production.
Environmental advocates warn that Project 2025βs proposals could dismantle federal protections, expand offshore oil and gas production, and break up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among other significant changes. Trump’s campaign also pledges to expedite federal drilling permits and open “vast stores” of oil and gas for extraction on public lands.
Steubeβs bill, initially reported by Fox News Digital and set to be introduced on Trumpβs 78th birthday, is unlikely to pass in a Democratically controlled Senate. Steube expressed, “During his time in office, President Trump took several commendable actions for our oceans as part of his work to make America strong, secure, and economically prosperous. Iβm honored to introduce legislation that will rename our coastal waters after President Trump and serve as a reminder of his many contributions to our nation for generations to come.”
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania Representative Guy Reschenthaler introduced a bill to rename Washington-Dulles International Airport after Trump. In response, Congressional Democrats suggested renaming a federal prison in Florida after the former president, who was convicted on 34 felony counts in New York and faces numerous other charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and allegedly mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump has pleaded not guilty in his non-New York cases.
Matt Pinner is a dedicated journalist for WVPrepBB.com, specializing in USA and crime news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, Matt brings timely and insightful reporting to his readers. His work on WVPrepBB.com keeps the community informed and engaged with the latest developments in national news and criminal justice.
