U.S. President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” sparking mixed reactions among Americans, including 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 name change of Lake Ontario and prevent any future renaming of the Great Lakes.

This move was prompted by Google’s decision to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its Google Maps app for American users, following reports that Trump had urged Apple to do the same on Apple Maps. However, MapQuest has stated that it will not change the name on its platform.

Kennedy, representing a district bordering Canada, expressed his opposition to the name change in an interview. He emphasized that the executive order was a distraction from more critical issues, such as trade tariffs imposed on Canada. He criticized Trump’s behavior and highlighted the need for accountability in the government.

Regarding the historical ties between the U.S. and Canada, Kennedy emphasized the strong friendship and neighborly bond shared between the two countries. He highlighted the economic interdependence and cultural connections, pointing out examples like the GM plant in Tonawanda and the cross-border collaboration in various sectors.

With the upcoming midterm elections, Kennedy expressed confidence that the American people would respond to the current administration’s actions by electing a new House of Representatives majority. He believes that restoring accountability and order in the government is crucial, given the challenges faced under the current leadership.

The bill introduced by Kennedy and his colleagues faces a challenging path in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. Kennedy highlighted previous bipartisan efforts to challenge the president’s policies and tariffs, indicating the potential for support across party lines. He remains optimistic that the upcoming elections will bring about significant changes in the political landscape.