The bald eagle is on its way to officially becoming the national bird of the United States after the House passed legislation on Monday, clearing the final hurdle before heading to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature. The Senate had previously approved the measure by unanimous consent, with bipartisan support praising the bird’s longstanding symbolism of American freedom and strength.

Though the bald eagle has been an unofficial emblem since the Second Continental Congress in 1782, when it was featured prominently on the Great Seal of the United States, Congress had never formally designated it as the national bird. The new bill corrects that oversight, elevating the eagle to the same status as the American bison, the national mammal, alongside the rose and oak as official national symbols.

Supporters of the legislation, including its sponsors Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Brad Finstad, said the bald eagle represents the ideals of America’s founding, uniting people across political divides. “This bill gives the bald eagle the recognition it fully deserves,” said Preston Cook, a lifelong eagle memorabilia collector who uncovered the lack of formal designation while researching its role in U.S. history. Cook hopes the signing ceremony will highlight the eagle as a unifying symbol for the nation.

The bill’s swift passage reflects widespread agreement on honoring the bald eagle as a powerful, enduring symbol of American independence and resilience.