Easter Monday could soon become federal holiday

Easter Monday Federal Holiday Proposal Gains Traction

Easter Monday could soon become a federal holiday in the United States, following a new legislative proposal put forth by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va. The initiative aims to recognize the day after Easter Sunday as a national holiday, aligning with the practice in several other countries around the world.

In a post on X, Schmitt highlighted a poll indicating that 81% of Americans celebrated Easter in 2023, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. He emphasized that making Easter Monday a federal holiday is not a radical idea but rather a recognition of a tradition deeply rooted in Western civilization. Countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe already observe Easter Monday as a public holiday.

“Easter is a floating holiday, varying between March 22 and April 25. The gap between April and May in our federal holiday calendar can be filled by an Easter Monday holiday, providing a much-needed three-day weekend for workers and families. This proposal is pro-worker, pro-family, and pro-faith,” Schmitt stated.

Furthermore, Schmitt highlighted the economic benefits of recognizing Easter Monday as a federal holiday. The Easter weekend already generates approximately $15 billion for the economy, and extending it to a three-day weekend could boost economic activity by an estimated 10-15%, adding up to $2 billion while strengthening American families.

Currently, there are 11 public federal holidays in the United States, with Christmas Day being the only traditionally religious holiday on the list. The most recent addition was Juneteenth, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2021 to commemorate the abolition of slavery.

Easter, celebrated on Sunday, is a significant holiday in the Christian faith, honoring the resurrection of Jesus after the crucifixion on Good Friday. In addition to its religious significance, Easter is widely regarded as a spring celebration in the U.S., complete with traditions like the Easter Bunny and egg hunts.

Moore echoed the importance of Easter, emphasizing the historical significance of Christ’s resurrection. Senate bill 1426, introduced by Schmitt and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, is a step towards establishing Easter Monday as a federal holiday.

As the discussion around Easter Monday as a federal holiday continues, the proposal has sparked conversations about the role of religious traditions in shaping the national holiday calendar. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.