Senator Mike Braun, US Senator for Indiana | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Mike Braun, US Senator for Indiana | Official U.S. Senate headshot
The National Fossil Act has passed the Senate, designating the mastodon as the United States' national fossil. The bill was introduced by Senator Mike Braun and Senator Gary Peters, with cosponsorship from Senator Eric Schmitt and Senator Maggie Hassan.
This marks Senator Braun’s fifth standalone bill to pass the Senate this year. If signed into law, it will be his tenth legislative success in the 118th Congress (2023-2024), which includes previous provisions on veterans healthcare, opioids, and budget reform.
The National Fossil Act aims to celebrate America's unique natural history and foster interest in paleontology. Should it pass the House and be signed into law, the mastodon will join other national symbols such as the bald eagle, bison, rose, and oak tree.
The mastodon lived over 13,000 years ago during the Pleistocene era in areas that are now part of the United States. Fully grown mastodons stood over 10 feet tall, weighed more than 11 tons, and had tusks up to 16 feet long. Unlike its relative, the mammoth, mastodons were found exclusively in what is now the U.S., with fossils discovered in every continental state.
Mastodon fossils are frequently unearthed in Indiana and Michigan. Indiana named it their state fossil in 2022 after significant discoveries across various counties including Hebron, Fort Wayne, and Seymour.
“Mastodons embody the spirit of exploration, resilience, and strength that exemplifies our great nation,” said Senator Mike Braun. “As a uniquely American symbol, mastodons inspire us to embrace our heritage and to protect our country’s natural treasures.”
Senator Gary Peters added: “Michigan made history when we uncovered one of the most complete skeletons of the Mastodon ever found... By establishing the Mastodon as our national fossil, we can better preserve that history and inspire a new generation of scientists.”
If enacted into law, this bill will join several other legislative achievements by Senator Braun in recent years:
- Federal Prison Oversight Act
- COVID-19 Origins Act
- Wounded Warrior Access Act
- Department of Defense Overdose Data (DOD) Act
- Reforming Benefits for Children of Vietnam Veterans with Spina Bifida
- Administrative Pay-As-You-Go Act
Additional bills passed by Senator Braun include:
- VA Home Loan Awareness Act
- Working Dog Health and Welfare Act of 2023
- Mark Our Place Act
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