Klobuchar, Lummis, Mullin, Smith Bipartisan Legislation to Designate the Bald Eagle as the National Bird Passes Senate

Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN) and Angie Craig (D-MN) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced their bipartisan legislation to designate the bald eagle as the National Bird of the United States has passed the Senate.

"The bald eagle is a symbol of our country's freedom and strength. In Minnesota, we are proud to call ourselves home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha," said Klobuchar. "Now that my bipartisan legislation has passed the Senate we are one step closer to officially designating the bald eagle as our country's National Bird."

"For more than 240 years, the bald eagle has been synonymous with American values, yet it is still not officially our national bird," said Lummis. "Today's bipartisan passage brings us one step closer to solidifying the eagle's place as an enduring symbol of our freedom, and I look forward to seeing this legislation pass the House and signed into law soon."

"I am thrilled our bill has just passed the U.S. Senate," said Mullin. "The bald eagle is a strong symbol of patriotism for our nation, and it's past time we make this designation official. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate who supported it."

"The Bald Eagle has been a universally recognizable symbol of patriotism in this country for centuries, and they thrive in Minnesota because of our lakes and forestry," said Smith. "I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation designating the Bald Eagle as the official bird of the United States."

"As an undisputed symbol of our Nation, the bald eagle represents the strength and independence that we hold in our hearts as American citizens and it is past time that the bald eagle is rightfully recognized as the national bird," said Finstad. "I am happy to see that this legislation has passed in the Senate, and I look forward to its passage on the House Floor."

"While most people assume the Bald Eagle is our nation's official bird, the fact is our country doesn't have an official bird," said Preston Cook, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center. "The bison is the national mammal, the rose is the national flower, and the oak is the national tree. It's time the Bald Eagle, long revered as our national symbol, finds its rightful place as our country's official national bird."

The bald eagle has proudly been depicted as the national symbol of the United States since June 20, 1782, when our country's Founding Fathers at the Second Continental Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States. Since that time, the bald eagle design has gone on to appear on official documents, currency, flags, public buildings, sports teams, and other government-related items. Today, the bald eagle is synonymous with American life and this legislation will officially designate it as the National Bird of the United States.

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN), Angie Craig (D-MN), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), and Don Beyer (D-VA).

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