A bipartisan bill has been passed by Congress that would officially recognize the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. The legislation, which was introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other senators in June, has now been approved by the House and will soon be sent to President Joe Biden for signature. The bald eagle has been a symbol of the nation since 1782 when it appeared on the Great Seal, but has never been officially designated as the national bird.
The legislation highlights the bald eagle’s significance as a symbol of independence, strength, and freedom, with Rep. Brad Finstad emphasizing its importance to the country. The National Eagle Center, which played a key role in advocating for the bill, celebrated its passage as a way to honor the bird’s historic role and reaffirm its status as a national emblem.
The bald eagle population has seen a remarkable recovery in recent years, bouncing back from near extinction due to habitat loss, illegal shooting, and pollution. Conservation efforts have been instrumental in this resurgence, leading to the bird being removed from the list of threatened and endangered species in 2007. With the official designation as the national bird, the bald eagle will join other symbols of the United States like the Great Seal and the U.S. Flag.
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Bipartisan bill protecting bald eagles set to be signed at the White House
