The design is actually closer to a rendition made by James Trenchard for the September 1786 Columbian Magazine, which was also later used on the reverse side of a few Indian Peace Medals given by President Washington in about the same time frame as the Senate seal was made. The design of the clouds and light rays was also different, and the inscription showed it was a seal made specifically for the Senate (the Great Seal has no inscription at all). It had a spade shield instead of the more familiar shape on the Great Seal, and the eagle had no scroll in its beak. While the design was clearly based on the Great Seal of the United States, the engraving was distinctly different. Encircling the design was the legend SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. Above the eagle were rays of light emanating from clouds, representing the emergence of the new nation. This first design had an eagle with a shield on its breast, olive branches in its left talon, and arrows in its right. įrom the 1966 History of the Senate Seals Īt least during the 1960s, a painted version of the seal was also on the ceiling of the office of the Secretary of the Senate. government, first as United States Attorney General and later as a senator from New York. The seals symbolized Kennedy's career in the U.S. The Senate seal, along with the seal of the Department of Justice, was used on the reverse of the 1998 commemorative dollar coin honoring Robert F. A Senate flag is also hung above the dais of the Hart Building’s central hearing room. Each senator and committee were limited to two flags apiece, and in keeping with the usual limits on the seal, use of the flags is restricted to Senate offices only, and commercial use is prohibited. This was approved in 1987, and the flags were made available in March 1988. After turning down several submitted designs, the committee turned to the Army Institute of Heraldry, which proposed a navy blue flag with the seal in the center. In April 1984, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii proposed that the Senate commission an official flag using the design of the Senate seal. The Senate never had an official flag until the 1980s, even though by then most other government agencies, departments, and offices had one. An image of this window served as the theme of the Senate's web page from about 2002 to 2006. The window is also visible from the office on the other side (room S-210, currently the majority whip's office). The window was initially filled in with frosted glass, but was later replaced with a colorful design depicting the senate seal. One of these windows, on the Senate side of the Capitol, originally depicted an eagle with a shield and flags of the United States but it was accidentally destroyed in the 1960s. There are four grand staircases in the building, and all four stairwells contain a large stained glass window, each with a different design. The seal is depicted in a stained glass window in the United States Capitol. Trent Lott posing next to the Senate seal It is illegal to use the Senate seal in any manner reasonably calculated to convey a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States. In the twentieth century, the Secretary has authorized its official use by the majority and minority leaders.

The seal is kept in the custody of the Secretary of the Senate, who also can authorize other specific uses. Other uses include authentication of senator credentials, and also electoral votes for President and Vice President. It also appears on presentation copies of Senate resolutions recognizing appointments, commendations, and notable achievements. The seal is affixed to impeachment documents and resolutions of consent to international treaties. Several of the elements are derived from the Great Seal of the United States. Surrounding the seal is the legend 'United States Senate'. Blue beams of light emanate from the shield. A red liberty cap above the shield and crossed fasces below the shield represent freedom and authority, respectively. An olive branch, symbolizing peace, graces the left side of the shield, while an oak branch, symbolizing strength, is on the right. The seal has a shield with 13 stars on top and 13 vertical stripes on the bottom, with a scroll inscribed with E pluribus unum floating across the top. The use of the seal is restricted by federal law and other regulations, and so is used sparingly, to the point that there are alternate, non-official seal designs more commonly seen in public. The current version dates from 1886, and is the third seal design used by the Senate since its inception in 1789.

Its design also sometimes serves as a sign and symbol of the Senate, appearing on its official flag among other places. The Seal of the United States Senate is the seal officially adopted by the United States Senate to authenticate certain official documents.

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