This week, President Joe Biden signed a bill to officially designate the bald eagle as the National Bird of the United States. The legislation was introduced by Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis and Senator Markwayne Mullin.
“The bald eagle is an enduring symbol of American freedom and values, and I am thrilled it is finally getting the recognition it deserves as our official national bird,” said Lummis.
Mullin echoed this sentiment: “The bald eagle has long been a symbol of freedom and patriotism for our nation. It’s only fitting we officially designate the bald eagle the national bird of the United States. I’m happy to see this signed into law by the president and was happy to work in a bipartisan fashion to get it to his desk.”
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith cosponsored the legislation, while several representatives including Brad Finstad, Angie Craig, Dean Phillips, Tom Emmer, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Michelle Fischbach, Pete Stauber, Dan Newhouse, Derrick Van Orden, and Don Beyer introduced a companion bill in the House.
The bald eagle has been depicted as a national symbol since June 20, 1782. The Founding Fathers approved its use on the Great Seal of the United States at that time. Over the years, it has appeared on various official documents and items associated with government and American life. This new legislation cements its status as America’s National Bird.
