Weeks–McLean Act

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}

The Weeks–McLean Act was a law of the United States sponsored by Representative John W. Weeks (R) of Massachusetts and Senator George P. McLean (R) of Connecticut that prohibited the spring hunting and marketing of migratory birds and the importation of wild bird feathers for women's fashion, ending what was called "millinery murder". It gave the Secretary of Agriculture the power to set hunting seasons nationwide, making it the first U.S. law ever passed to regulate the shooting of migratory birds. It became effective on 4 March 1913 but, because of a constitutional weakness, was later replaced by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.[http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/treatlaw.html A Guide to the Laws and Treaties of the United States for Protecting Migratory Birds] Accessed 15 November 2008

Henry Ford supported the legislation, "The only time I ever used the Ford organization to influence legislation was on behalf of the birds, and I think the end justified the means."{{cite book |last1=Ford |first1=Henry |title=My Life and Work |date=2019 |location=Columbia |isbn=9781545549117 |pages=115}}