Easter Monday Bill Gains Attention
Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri has introduced a proposal to designate the Monday following Easter as a federal holiday, aiming to give families more time to celebrate the Christian observance together. Announced through a series of posts on social media platform X, Schmitt’s initiative seeks to establish Easter Monday as a recognized national holiday, providing Americans an extended weekend around one of Christianity’s most sacred events.
Schmitt pointed out that Easter, celebrated by a majority of Americans, currently falls during the longest uninterrupted work period of the year. He noted that March and April are the only consecutive months without a federal holiday and argued that this gap makes it harder for families to gather and observe Easter fully. He emphasized that acknowledging Easter Monday is neither a new nor radical concept, as it is already a recognized public holiday in numerous countries, including Canada, Australia, and many parts of Europe.
Drawing comparisons to existing American traditions, Schmitt mentioned the National Day of Prayer—enacted under President Truman—as precedent for religious observances receiving federal recognition. He described Easter as a foundational event in the Christian faith, marking the resurrection of Jesus, and proposed that a federal holiday would honor this momentous occasion. Additionally, Schmitt remarked that many schools in the past offered days off for both Good Friday and Easter Monday, reinforcing the cultural precedent for his proposal.
Beyond the religious and cultural significance, Schmitt also outlined potential economic benefits. He estimated that extending the Easter weekend could boost spending by $2 billion, citing the already substantial $15 billion generated annually during Easter celebrations. He described the measure as supportive of families, workers, and faith communities, asserting it would enhance both spiritual and economic life.
The bill, introduced in the U.S. Senate, aims to amend Title 5 of the U.S. Code, which lists federally recognized holidays. If passed, Easter Monday would become the nation’s 13th federal holiday. The most recent addition to that list was Juneteenth, which became a public holiday in 2021. Schmitt’s bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and currently lacks co-sponsors. While Easter Monday is not yet observed nationally in the U.S., it is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and over 100 countries recognize it as a public holiday.