Senators propose bison as 'national mammal'

Senators from plain states want the American bison to be designated as the national mammal of the United States.

Sens. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) introduced S. 3248, the Bison Legacy Act, on Thursday. The bill would "honor" the animal by making it the nation's mammal.

"I ask my colleagues to help me support and pass this legislation honoring the bison and designating it as our national mammal," Enzi said. "The bison has and will continue to be a symbol of America, its people and a way of life."

Three states have designated the bison as their state mammal and American bison freely roam national parks, such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

"The bison has been integrally linked to the economic and spiritual lives of many Native American tribes over the centuries," Enzi said. "Since our frontier days, the bison has become a symbol of American strength and determination."

The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). The National Bison Association, Intertribal Bison Council and Wildlife Conservation Society also support the measure.

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