Both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives approved bipartisan legislation on Wednesday to name the bison as the National Mammal of the United States.
The Senate passed the National Bison Legacy Act in December and the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version Tuesday night. The bill was introduced by Sens. John Hoeven and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., in the Senate.
The Senate sponsors expect the Senate to concur with the House bill later this week and send the legislation to the president to be signed into law.
In addition to naming the bison as the U.S. national mammal, the National Bison Legacy Act recognizes the historical, cultural and economic significance of the bison, which is the largest land mammal in America and revered by many Native American tribes as a sacred and spiritual symbol of their heritage.
“The bison, like the bald eagle, has for many years been a symbol of America for its strength, endurance and dignity, reflecting the pioneer spirit of America,” Hoeven said.
