Gillibrand Announces Bill To Ban President Trump From Renaming Lake Ontario

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced a new bill to prohibit President Trump from renaming Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes. The legislation, the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act, follows President Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” amid his escalating trade war with Canada. Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“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,” said Senator Gillibrand. “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.”

“Lake Ontario is Lake Ontario. No executive order, proclamation, or presidential temper tantrum is going to change that,” said Congressman Morelle. “Families are worried about paying their bills. Businesses are looking for certainty. Communities like ours are asking Washington to focus on the challenges that actually affect people’s lives. 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.”

This bill, which Senator Gillibrand plans to introduce in the next Senate working period, 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. The full text of the bill can be found here.

Last week, Senator 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 will raise prices for New York families and hurt our economy.