Easter Monday Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2951
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-17: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-08T08:05:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Easter Monday Act of 2025 aims to establish Easter Monday as a new federal public holiday in the United States, recognizing it alongside existing holidays like Washington's Birthday.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is officially named the "Easter Monday Act of 2025."
- Amendment to Federal Law: It modifies Section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code (which lists federal holidays), by adding "Easter Monday" immediately after the entry for Washington's Birthday (observed on the third Monday in February).
- The change applies to legal public holidays for federal employees and government operations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This introduces Easter Monday as the 12th federal public holiday, expanding the current list that includes New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and others.
- Previously, Easter Monday was not a federally recognized holiday, though some states or private employers might observe it informally; this formalizes it at the national level.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal offices, courts, and services would close on Easter Monday, potentially disrupting operations and requiring adjustments in scheduling or staffing for essential services (e.g., mail delivery or emergency response).
- Citizens: Federal employees would receive paid time off, benefiting around 2 million workers. Private sector employees in industries aligned with federal holidays (e.g., banking, schools) might also gain a day off, promoting family time around Easter. No direct impact on international relations is evident.
- Overall, it could increase federal holiday-related costs for paid leave and closures, estimated in the millions annually.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Employees and Agencies: Primary beneficiaries and operators impacted by closures (e.g., U.S. Postal Service, Department of Defense).
- Private Sector Workers and Businesses: Those following federal holiday standards, such as financial institutions or retailers.
- Religious and Community Groups: Christian communities may welcome the recognition of a day tied to Easter Sunday traditions.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through government spending on additional holidays.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The amendment is straightforward and fits within Congress's authority under Article I of the Constitution to regulate federal operations, including holidays. It does not alter holiday pay rules or definitions in title 5.
- Constitutional: No major issues; it promotes a religious observance but aligns with precedents for holidays like Christmas, avoiding Establishment Clause concerns by treating it as a secular public day off.
- Political: Could spark debate on favoring Christian holidays amid calls for more inclusive observances (e.g., for other faiths), but the bill is bipartisan in sponsorship and focuses solely on the addition without broader reforms. If passed, it would require Senate approval and presidential signature to become law.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-17: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-04-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Easter Monday Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-17 — PDF (2 pages)