Recently introduced legislation would make the Monday after Easter a federal holiday, thereby giving most federal employees an additional paid holiday.
The bill (S. 1426) was introduced by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO). As he explained in a thread on X, part of his reasoning for establishing the holiday is because March and April are the longest period of time on the calendar without a federal holiday.
“Easter is the holiest day in Christianity. It should be a federal holiday,” wrote Schmitt. “81% of Americans celebrate Easter. But our current holiday schedule makes it way too difficult for families to celebrate together.”
He noted that Easter is already a public holiday in other Western countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
He also added, “Easter is a floating holiday, it can fall from Mar 22 to April 25. The only two-month gap in our federal holiday calendar is April-May. An Easter Monday holiday fills the gap—creating a three-day weekend when workers and families need it most.”
Schmitt also said in his post that Easter weekend generates about $15 billion for the American economy and that establishing the holiday is estimated to add an estimated 10-15% to that figure.
“A federal Easter Monday holiday allows Americans to celebrate the most extraordinary day in world history, Easter—the day of Christ’s resurrection,” wrote Schmitt.
Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian religion. Easter weekend consists of Good Friday, the day that Jesus Christ was crucified to atone for the sins of mankind, and Easter Sunday, the day on which he was resurrected three days later from his tomb to eternal life.
According to Christianity.com:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, signifying the fulfillment of God’s plan for redemption and offering believers the promise of eternal life. It is a day of immense joy and hope, as Christians celebrate the victory of light over darkness, life over death, and the triumph of God’s love for humanity. Easter Sunday serves as a profound reminder of the transformative power of faith and the enduring message of hope that resonates throughout the ages.
There are currently 11 federal holidays, the most recent of which is Juneteenth which was signed into law by President Biden on June 17, 2021. Most federal employees are entitled to paid holiday time off when excused from duty on a designated holiday.
