Michigan
Federal Lawmakers Push Back On Lake Renaming With Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act
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Key points
- The Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act protects the names of the five Great Lakes from federal alterations.
- The bill nullifies Executive Order 14422, which directed agencies to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America.
- It prohibits the use of federal funds to implement or administer any renaming efforts.
NewsWK — Great Lakes communities are facing a potential federal renaming battle that could impact local identity and taxpayer resources.
Why it matters
This legislative battle directly affects the cultural heritage of the Great Lakes region. Furthermore, it prevents the reallocation of federal funds toward administrative changes, protecting taxpayers from unnecessary government spending on renaming efforts.
What is the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act?
The Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act protects the historic names of the five Great Lakes. Specifically, the legislation prohibits any federal agency from altering these official names. It also blocks federal funding for any such efforts, ensuring tax dollars do not go toward geographic renaming.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sponsored S. 5394 on September 14, 2026, focusing on Lake Ontario. Consequently, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is now reviewing the proposal.
Why did lawmakers draft this Great Lakes renaming bill?
Lawmakers drafted this Great Lakes renaming bill to block Executive Order 14422, which President Donald Trump signed on August 27, 2026. That executive order directed federal agencies to rename Lake Ontario Lake America. Therefore, the new bill would completely nullify the administration’s renaming directive.
Meanwhile, Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell championed Great Lakes preservation by introducing a companion bill, H.R. 10186, on August 31, 2026. Other co-sponsors of the House legislation include:
- Representative Joe Morelle
- Representative Tim Kennedy
Ultimately, this legislative effort aims to preserve the geographic identity of the region’s waters.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
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