From renaming the Gulf to accepting a Qatari plane, “It’s all related,” says Ansari.
WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) introduced the Persian Gulf Act–legislation to stop Donald Trump’s politically-motivated attempts to rename the body of water. The legislation prohibits any federal funds from being used to rename the body of water and bars government documents from referring to the Persian Gulf by anything except that name.
Ansari’s legislation comes as President Trump has signaled that he will change the name of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf and as he travels today to the Middle East to Qatar where he is expected to accept a new luxury Boeing 747 airplane to replace Air Force One.
“From attempting to rename the Persian Gulf to accepting luxury airplanes as unprecedented personal gifts from the Qatari government, it’s all related. Donald Trump’s corruption has reached astounding new levels,” said Rep. Ansari. “Donald Trump would rather waste time on ridiculous political stunts to curry favor with foreign governments than do anything to actually address the issues Americans face every single day. As the first Iranian-American Democrat elected to Congress, this is an issue that is extremely personal to me. The Persian Gulf has been recognized as such by international bodies for centuries, and politically-motivated attempts to rename it will never succeed.”
"The Persian Gulf is not just a name—it is a historical and cultural landmark recognized for centuries," said Neda Bolourchi, Executive Director of the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans. "For Iranian Americans, it is a vital part of our heritage and identity. Our community, which has made significant contributions to the U.S. economy and national security, values historical accuracy. The introduction of the Persian Gulf Act ensures federal funds uphold this legacy. PAAIA welcomes this legislation as an essential step in protecting a name of deep significance to Iranian Americans."
Read the full legislation HERE.
Follow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.gov to learn more.
