September 11 Day of Remembrance Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5322
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-11T08:05:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "September 11 Day of Remembrance Act," aims to establish September 11 as a new federal legal public holiday to honor the memory of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and those affected by them.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 6103(a) of Title 5, United States Code (which lists federal holidays), by adding "September 11 Day of Remembrance, September 11" immediately after Labor Day.
- The bill was introduced on September 11, 2025, by Representatives Lawler, Van Drew, Kean, Ryan, Gottheimer, Latimer, Malliotakis, Sherrill, Pou, Hurd of Colorado, and Mills, and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This adds a 12th federal holiday to the current list under Title 5, United States Code, which previously included 11 holidays such as New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day.
- Unlike some observances (e.g., Patriot Day, which is September 11 but not a legal holiday), this makes September 11 a paid day off for federal employees and a day when federal offices close.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Federal agencies would close on September 11 annually, potentially disrupting operations and requiring adjustments to schedules, budgets, and staffing for the additional holiday (estimated cost to the government could involve lost productivity or overtime for essential services).
- On citizens: Provides a national day off for federal workers and those in private sectors that follow federal holiday guidelines, allowing broader participation in remembrance events; it may encourage public ceremonies, education, and reflection on the 9/11 events without mandating private business closures.
- On international relations: Minimal direct impact, though it reinforces U.S. commitment to commemorating the attacks, which could symbolize solidarity with allies affected by global terrorism.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal employees and agencies: Gain an additional paid holiday but may face operational challenges in sectors like defense, law enforcement, and public services that cannot fully pause.
- Victims' families and 9/11 remembrance organizations: Benefits from elevated national status, potentially increasing public awareness and support for related memorials or programs.
- General public and private sector employers: Indirectly affected through cultural emphasis on remembrance; private businesses may align with the holiday for employee time off or events.
- State and local governments: Could influence decisions to recognize the holiday similarly, though not required.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the framework for federal holidays under Title 5, United States Code, without altering pay or benefits structures for federal workers; no challenges to enforceability expected as it follows standard legislative processes for holidays.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I to regulate federal operations and establish observances; poses no First Amendment or equal protection issues, as it is a neutral commemorative measure.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support (introduced by a mix of Republicans and Democrats) and could foster national unity around 9/11 remembrance; may spark debates on the fiscal cost of an extra holiday amid budget constraints, but serves as a symbolic gesture toward healing and patriotism.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- September 11 Day of Remembrance Act — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (2 pages)