Presidential Legacy Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1371

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Last Updated

2025-07-13T23:06:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Presidential Legacy Act (H.R. 1371) aims to officially change the name of the federal holiday observed on the third Monday in February from "Washington's Birthday" to "Presidents' Day." This redesignation seeks to broaden recognition to honor all U.S. presidents, rather than focusing solely on George Washington.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is titled the "Presidential Legacy Act."
• Core Amendment: It modifies Section 6103(a) of Title 5, United States Code (which lists federal holidays), by replacing "Washington's Birthday" with "Presidents' Day."
• Broad Replacement of References: Any mention of "Washington's Birthday" in existing federal laws, rules, regulations, or official documents will automatically be interpreted as "Presidents' Day," unless specified otherwise.
• Specific Conforming Changes:
• Updates Section 6(d) of Title 4, United States Code (related to flags and holidays) to use "Presidents' Day."
• Amends Section 15(a) of the Federal Contested Election Act (2 U.S.C. 394(a)), which deals with deadlines for election disputes, to replace "Washington's Birthday" with "Presidents' Day."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces a symbolic shift in nomenclature for the federal holiday established in 1971 under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Washington's Birthday to the third Monday in February for a three-day weekend.
• It does not alter the date, observances, or employee benefits of the holiday but standardizes the name across federal statutes to reflect a collective presidential tribute.
• Previously, the holiday was informally called "Presidents' Day" in many states and commercial contexts, but federally it remained "Washington's Birthday" (also encompassing Abraham Lincoln's birthday in some traditions).

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Federal agencies, such as those handling personnel, official publications, and legal documents, will need to update references, forms, and websites, though the change is largely administrative and low-cost.
• Citizens: Everyday Americans may notice the updated name in calendars, school lessons, and public announcements, potentially increasing awareness of all presidents' legacies. No direct impact on holiday pay, closures, or activities.
• International Relations: Negligible; the change is domestic and symbolic, with no effect on foreign policy or diplomacy.
• Overall, impacts are minimal and primarily cultural, promoting a more inclusive holiday without disrupting routines.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Government Entities: Congress, executive agencies (e.g., Office of Personnel Management for holiday scheduling), and the judiciary, which must implement the name change in official records.
• Citizens and Educators: The public, schools, and historians, who observe or teach about the holiday; those focused on George Washington's legacy may view it as a dilution of his specific honor.
• States and Local Governments: While the bill is federal, many states already use "Presidents' Day," so alignment could simplify coordination, but states are not required to change.
• Bipartisan Sponsors: Introduced by Rep. Budzinski (D-IL) and Rep. Joyce (R-OH), indicating support from lawmakers interested in presidential history.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Straightforward statutory amendments with no conflicts; the change is interpretive (deeming old references as new) rather than requiring exhaustive rewrites, reducing implementation burdens. It preserves the holiday's legal status under federal law.
• Constitutional: None significant; Congress has authority over federal holidays and nomenclature under its legislative powers (Article I), and this does not infringe on free speech or state rights.
• Political: The bill reflects a non-partisan effort to modernize holiday naming for inclusivity, potentially fostering national unity by honoring all presidents. It may spark minor debate among traditionalists who prefer emphasizing Washington's foundational role, but as a low-stakes measure, it faces little controversy. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for review.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• 2025-02-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Presidential Legacy Act — issued 2025-02-14 — PDF (2 pages)