The bill Edwards is co-sponsoring is the “Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2013.” The legislation amends the Trademark Act of 1946 by mandating that “trademarks containing the term `redskin’, or any derivation of the term, should not continue to enjoy the benefits of federal registration.”

“Recent psychological evidence has demonstrated the general negative effects associated with references in sports to Native American people,” the bill states.

The bill was introduced in March by Eni Faleomavaega, a delegate to the House of Representatives from America Samoa. About 20 lawmakers have co-sponsored the legislation. All are Democrats, except for Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma.