U.S. President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” sparking a mixed reaction among Americans, including dissent from some members of the House of Representatives.
Democratic representatives Tim Kennedy, Joe Morelle, and Debbie Dingell introduced the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act to reverse the renaming of Lake Ontario and prevent any future renaming of Great Lakes. The move was prompted by Google’s decision to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its maps for U.S. users, following reports that Trump had urged Apple to do the same.
Kennedy, representing a district bordering Canada, expressed concerns over the name change during an interview with The Current. He criticized Trump’s actions as a distraction from critical issues like trade tariffs with Canada and emphasized the importance of preserving the strong ties between the U.S. and Canada.
The legislation introduced by Kennedy and his colleagues aims to challenge Trump’s executive order and maintain the historical and cultural significance of the Great Lakes region. The representatives highlighted the deep economic and social connections between the two countries, emphasizing the need to protect and strengthen the relationship.
The bill’s success in the House of Representatives remains uncertain given the current slim Republican majority. Kennedy expressed optimism that bipartisan support could be garnered, citing previous instances where Republicans crossed party lines to oppose Trump’s policies. He urged for a change in leadership in the upcoming elections to restore accountability and order in the government.