Rosa Parks Day Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 964
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-28T08:06:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Rosa Parks Day Act aims to honor Rosa Parks, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, by designating a new federal holiday in her name. This legislation recognizes her role in sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, which advanced the fight against racial segregation in the United States.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is titled the "Rosa Parks Day Act."
- Amendment to Federal Law: It modifies section 6103(a) of title 5, United States Code, which lists legal public holidays for federal employees and operations.
- Addition of Holiday: Inserts "Rosa Parks Day" into the list of federal holidays immediately after "Thanksgiving Day." (Note: The bill text does not specify the exact date for Rosa Parks Day, though it is commonly associated with December 1, the date of her 1955 arrest.)
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new entry to the statutory list of federal holidays under 5 U.S.C. § 6103(a), which previously included 11 holidays (e.g., New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Thanksgiving).
- This change would make Rosa Parks Day an official legal public holiday, requiring federal observance similar to other holidays in the list, such as paid time off for federal workers and closure of non-essential government services.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies would likely close non-essential operations on Rosa Parks Day, increasing administrative costs for paid leave and potentially disrupting services if not aligned with existing schedules. It could also prompt updates to personnel policies and calendars.
- On Citizens: Provides federal employees (about 2.1 million civilians) with an additional paid holiday, promoting work-life balance. Broader public recognition could enhance education on civil rights history through schools, events, and media, fostering national reflection on equality and justice.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may symbolically strengthen the U.S. image as a leader in civil rights, potentially influencing cultural exchanges or diplomatic discussions on human rights.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Employees and Agencies: Directly benefit from or must implement the new holiday, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which oversees federal workforce policies.
- Civil Rights Organizations and Communities: Groups like the NAACP or those focused on African American history gain formal recognition, potentially boosting advocacy and educational programs.
- General Public and Educators: Citizens, particularly in diverse or historically marginalized communities, may experience increased awareness and participation in commemorative activities; schools could incorporate it into curricula.
- State and Local Governments: Indirectly affected, as some may align state holidays with federal ones, though not required to do so.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Establishes a binding federal holiday under title 5 of the U.S. Code, enforceable for federal operations. Without a specified date in the bill, implementation could require clarification via congressional intent or amendment, potentially leading to legal challenges if ambiguity arises. It aligns with precedents for adding holidays (e.g., Juneteenth in 2021).
- Constitutional Implications: None significant; Congress has broad authority under Article I, Section 8 to regulate federal operations, including holidays. It does not infringe on free speech, equal protection, or other rights.
- Political Implications: Reflects bipartisan support for civil rights symbolism (introduced by a diverse group of 50+ representatives, mostly Democrats). Could spark debates on expanding the federal holiday calendar amid fiscal concerns over costs (estimated at millions for paid leave). Politically, it honors a non-partisan icon, potentially uniting lawmakers but also inviting discussions on prioritizing historical recognition versus other legislative needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]
Cosponsors (71)
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Bynum, Janelle [D-OR-5], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] and 21 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rosa Parks Day Act — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (2 pages)