Lawmakers are fighting to change the name of the new Mario Cuomo Bridge so that it includes the words “Tappan Zee” after months of public debate.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo christened the newly built bridge after his late father, Governor Mario M. Cuomo, last summer. Since then, the name change has caused controversy, igniting a petition on change.org last fall that, to date, has more than 100,000 signatures.

New York State Assemblyman Kevin Byrne has since agreed to sponsor a bill to reintroduce the words "Tappan Zee" to the span.

Bryne agrees with a large portion of the public that the name of a Native American tribe combined with the Dutch word for sea has special significance for many, including himself. He says that the legislation has bipartisan support.

The bill is in both the state Assembly and Senate for review. If it passes, Gov. Cuomo would then have to sign off on the legislation for the bridge's name to be officially changed.