I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8800 
To designate the bald eagle as the national bird. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 21, 2024 
Mr. FINSTAD (for himself, Ms. CRAIG, Mr. EMMER, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. 
STAUBER, Mrs. FISCHBACH, Ms. OMAR, Mr. PHILLIPS, Mr. NEWHOUSE, 
Mr. VAN ORDEN, and Mr. BEYER) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To designate the bald eagle as the national bird. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF BALD EAGLE AS NATIONAL 
BIRD. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Bald eagles are a historical symbol of the 
United States representing independence, strength, 
and freedom. 
(2) The bald eagle is unique to North America. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:17 Aug 07, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8800.IH
H8800
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(3) The bald eagle was adopted as the Coat of 
Arms for the United States Great Seal on June 20, 
1782. 
(4) The bald eagle image remains the leading 
insignia for all branches of the United States mili-
tary. 
(5) The bald eagle is the leading image on 
thousands of government branches, departments, 
and agencies, including the President, Vice-Presi-
dent, Congress, and Senate. 
(6) The bald eagle serves as the logo, trade-
mark, and brand icon by businesses, nonprofits, and 
sports teams across the United States. 
(7) Bald eagles are integral to the spiritual lives 
and sacred belief systems of most Indigenous peoples 
and Tribal communities. 
(8) Bald eagles are prevalent in belief, practice, 
stories, ceremonies, dance, traditions, songs, regalia, 
flags, insignias, arts, craft, and other forms of spir-
itual reverence. 
(9) Bald eagle festivals are held in over 100 lo-
cations across America and are key components of 
community engagement. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:17 Aug 07, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8800.IH
H8800
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(10) The bald eagle is prevalent on hundreds of 
United States stamps and many coins and cur-
rencies. 
(11) The bald eagle is a primary component 
and symbol on Federal and State flags nationwide. 
(12) Joint efforts of Federal, State, and local 
governments, as well as nonprofits and individuals, 
have contributed to the successful recovery of the 
bald eagle. 
(b) DESIGNATION.—Chapter 3 of title 36, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 306. National bird 
‘‘The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the na-
tional bird.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Chapter 3 of title 
36, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the chapter heading, by striking ‘‘AND 
TREE’’ and inserting ‘‘TREE, AND BIRD’’; 
and 
(2) in the table of sections, by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘306. National bird.’’. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion, the amendments made by this section, or the adop-
tion of the bald eagle as the national bird of the United 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:17 Aug 07, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8800.IH
H8800
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
States may be construed or used as a reason to alter, 
change, modify, or otherwise affect any plan, policy, man-
agement decision, regulation, or other action of the Fed-
eral Government. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:17 Aug 07, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H8800.IH
H8800
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB