Christmas Eve saw the White House reveal that President Joe Biden had given his signature to a bill which seemingly does nothing of importance aside from declaring the bald eagle as the national bird. The official documentation had been amended by the bill, which had surprisingly managed to gain unanimous support from Congress, and was signed on the otherwise festive Monday. While the resolution might be seen as a successful achievement by the administration, to some, it raises questions about the serious legislative efforts the executive body should focus on.
The bill principally alters Title 36 of the United States Code, elevating the predatory bird to a position of national symbolic significance, a move that might strike many as surprising. The bald eagle, often seen on the Great Seal of the United States, dating back to 1782, had never been formally given the title of ‘national bird.’ While the bird was previously recognized as the national emblem in 1782, according to USA.gov, its new designation raises concerns about the priorities of the administration.
Despite the fact that the bald eagle was already heavily connected with national symbolism, appearing across various official state representations, this piece of legislation insists on cementing its status. It appears on official documents, the president’s flag, military insignia, and even the country’s currency. Yet, it seems that the current administration felt the need to assign it the formal title of ‘national bird,’ while pressing issues lingered.
Previously, documents from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs published on VA.gov had mistakenly claimed the bald eagle was the national bird. The current administration seems to have taken this error to heart and found it necessary to legislatively correct it. Critics may view this as showcases an administration preoccupied with minor, irrelevant errors rather than looming domestic and international issues.
Acknowledgements in the aftermath of the bill’s signing came from the White House, expressing gratitude towards Senators Klobuchar, Lummis, Mullin, and Smith, apart from Representatives Finstad, Craig, and Emmer. This prompts one to consider whether these legislative leaders should focus their efforts on more pressing matters rather than participating in the glorification of a bird already seen as a symbol of the nation.
In the grand scheme of things, the fact that this bill was moved unanimously through Congress and signed by President Biden raises questions about the gravity of legislative issues addressed. The bald eagle, while majestic, already held a deep symbolic association with the nation. It appeared on the Great Seal and many other national symbols since 1782 – this ‘new’ designation seems a frivolous exercise in redundancy.
Many citizens may wonder why time and resources are dedicated to such legislative moves that do not provide tangible benefits or address key issues within the country. This perspective views the act as a needless repetition: the bald eagle was already deeply ingrained into the national fabric, visible in many forms of national representation, from the currency to the president’s flag.
The bill’s timing also raises eyebrows. Signed amidst the holiday season when important matters may potentially take a backseat, this legislative move by the Biden administration potentially exposes its lack of focus on pressing problems that require immediate attention.
This legislative decision highlights the questionable aims of the current administration. A focus on symbolic formalization rather than policy-making that directly impacts American lives raises concerns about the administration’s priorities.
In conclusion, President Biden’s decision to use valuable legislative time and resources to officially assign the ‘national bird’ title to the bald eagle might be seen as bewildering. While the bird was already seen as a national icon, the act of formalizing something so well-established feels unnecessary.
Further, it lays bare a shocking misalignment of Congressional priorities: unanimous approval for such an inconsequential bill, while more pressing issues continue to affect constituents, shows a political body more concerned with symbols than tangible outcomes.
Under the Biden administration, it seems as though symbolism has taken precedence over substantial legislative action. The signing of the bill designating a well-known emblem as the ‘national bird’ could be seen as an example of unnecessary formalisation over meaningful undertakings.
With many pressing, real-world issues on the table, it is concerning to see that this administration has prioritized a derogatory piece of legislation. With the bald eagle as the ‘national bird,’ it would appear that politics has indeed taken flight, soaring away from the reality of what truly needs to be addressed and resolved.