S 4610 United States Senate · 118th Congress

A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the bald eagle as the national bird.

This bill amends Title 36 of the U.S. Code to officially designate the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as the national bird, replacing the current symbolic reference. It adds a specific provision stating "The bald eagle is the national bird" to the code, with no changes to existing government policies or programs. The bill includes findings on the bald eagle's historical significance, cultural importance to Indigenous communities, and widespread use in U.S. symbols, but explicitly states it does not alter any government actions or decisions (per Section 1(d)). As a purely symbolic measure, it affects no specific group or policy and serves only to formalize an existing national symbol.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2024
Committee Review
Jul 2024
Senate Passage
Jul 2024
House Passage
Dec 2024
Signed into Law
Dec 2024
Introduced Jun 20, 2024 Signed Dec 23, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Dec 23, 2024
Signed into law
Signed by President.
executive
Dec 16, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7171)
lower
Jul 29, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5541)
upper
Jul 29, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5541)
upper
Jul 29, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5541)
upper
Jun 20, 2024
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Jun 20, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors