St. Patrick’s Day Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2119
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T08:05:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "St. Patrick's Day Act," aims to officially recognize St. Patrick's Day (March 17) as a federal holiday in the United States, honoring Irish heritage and culture by adding it to the list of paid days off for federal workers.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to U.S. Code: The bill modifies Section 6103(a) of Title 5, United States Code, which lists federal holidays. It inserts "St. Patrick's Day" into the list immediately after "Washington's Birthday" (observed on the third Monday in February).
- Short Title: The act is formally named the "St. Patrick's Day Act."
- Introduction Details: Introduced on March 14, 2025, by Representative Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This would expand the current list of 11 federal holidays (such as New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Christmas) by adding a 12th, making St. Patrick's Day a nationwide observance where federal offices close and eligible employees receive paid time off.
- No other changes are proposed, such as altering how holidays are observed (e.g., it would likely be on March 17 unless adjusted for weekends, following existing federal holiday rules).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies would close on St. Patrick's Day, potentially disrupting services like mail delivery or court operations for one day annually. This could increase administrative costs for rescheduling work or paying employees.
- On Citizens: Federal employees (about 2 million) and those in related sectors (e.g., banking, stock markets) would gain an extra paid holiday, promoting cultural celebration. Private citizens and businesses are not required to observe it but may align for consistency.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could strengthen cultural ties with Ireland and Irish communities worldwide by formalizing U.S. recognition of St. Patrick's Day.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Employees and Agencies: Primary beneficiaries and operators impacted by closures and paid leave.
- Irish-American Community: Gains official national acknowledgment of their cultural holiday.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through potential added costs to the federal budget for the extra holiday (estimated low, as it's one day per year).
- Private Sector Businesses: May voluntarily adopt the holiday to match federal observances, affecting workers in aligned industries.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The change is a straightforward statutory amendment under Congress's authority to define federal holidays (Title 5 governs employee benefits). It does not require presidential action beyond signing into law and aligns with precedents for adding holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Constitutional: No major issues; Congress has broad power to regulate federal operations and employee compensation under Article I. It avoids First Amendment concerns by treating it as a secular cultural observance rather than a religious one (despite St. Patrick's historical ties to Christianity).
- Political: Could spark debates on cultural inclusivity versus fiscal responsibility or "holiday creep." As a bipartisan gesture (introduced by a Republican), it highlights efforts to recognize diverse heritages, but passage depends on committee approval and floor votes in a divided Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- St. Patrick’s Day Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (1 pages)