Gillibrand to introduce bill in Senate to ban renaming of Lake Ontario
‘The president should stop the political games, get back to the negotiation table, and make a deal that lowers costs for New York families.’
File photo by Tom Rivers: Kayakers were out on Lake Ontario during a sunset on Aug. 4, 2018 in Barker.
Another bill will soon be introduced in Congress about the official name for Lake Ontario, as recognized by the federal government.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, announced she will be presenting legislation to nullify President Donald Trump’s executive order from a week ago that called for Lake Ontario to now be known as “Lake America.”
Trump’s executive order gave the Interior Department 30 days to update the federal Geographic Names Information System. It also directs federal agencies to use the new name on maps, contracts, documents and other communications.
“President Trump’s inane executive order is a weak attempt to distract from the fact that the Trump administration has raised costs on hardworking families, caused gas prices to skyrocket, and cut the programs that Americans rely on to get healthcare and put food on the table,” Gillibrand said in a news release. “Instead of renaming Great Lakes for no good reason, the president should stop the political games, get back to the negotiation table, and make a deal that lowers costs for New York families. I am proud to announce this legislation to restore Lake Ontario’s original name, and I look forward to getting it passed.”
Congressman Joe Morelle, a Democrat from Rochester, introduced legislation in the House of Representatives on Monday to ban the name change to Lake America.
A Florida congressman also introduced legislation in the House to change Lake Ontario’s name to “Lake America.” Jimmy Patronis Jr., a Republican, represents Florida’s 1st congressional district in the Western Panhandle.
“President Trump put America back on the map. Now we’re putting America on Lake Ontario,” Congressman Patronis stated in a press release. “Canada can call it whatever they want, but here in America, I say we call it Lake America.”
Morelle, in a statement today, said the naming controversy has created uncertainty for businesses.
“Communities like ours are asking Washington to focus on the challenges that actually affect people’s lives,” Morelle said. “Here in Rochester, we’ll keep calling it Lake Ontario. And in Congress, I’m working with my colleagues to make sure it stays that way.”
Gillibrand said she will introduce a bill in the next Senate working period that would prevent the executive branch from renaming any of the five Great Lakes. It would also nullify and prohibit the implementation and use of funds for the executive order that renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Gillibrand also announced legislation to repeal all tariffs levied under Section 338 of the Tariff Act and refund Americans for all duties paid under this authority. This includes President Trump’s most recent 50% tariffs on Canada, which Gillibrand said will raise prices for New York families and hurt the local economy.
