Seeking to amend the current holiday schedule, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt has introduced groundbreaking legislation to designate Easter Monday as a federal holiday.

In a bid to benefit family gatherings, the legislation aims to make Easter easier to celebrate by extending the weekend, the Christian Post reported.

Introduced without co-sponsors, the bill was announced by Schmitt exactly one week prior to Easter Monday 2025, scheduled for April 21. This proposal is meant to enhance the observance of a pivotal Christian tradition and addresses the absence of federal holidays in consecutive months, March and April.

Senator Schmitt argued that Easter Monday should be recognized not only due to its significant religious implications but also because it would bridge the longest stretch without a holiday on the American calendar. This gap encompasses the entirety of March and April, making it challenging for families to coordinate celebrations involving extended members.

While the U.S. recognizes twelve federal holidays, with Juneteenth being the latest addition, Schmitt’s proposition suggests this number could rise to thirteen. His proposal marks an attempt to address both secular and religious needs by offering a balanced holiday calendar conducive to both rest and celebration.

Schmitt’s Proposal Echoes Global Easter Monday Recognition

In making his case, the Senator noted that over 100 countries already honor Easter Monday, making the U.S. an outlier among major Western nations. This point emphasizes the global nature of Easter celebrations and suggests that the U.S. could benefit from aligning more closely with international norms regarding public holidays.

Easter Monday is recognized in several countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Western Europe, highlighting its widespread acceptance as a day of rest and joy following Easter Sunday. Senator Schmitt considers the day a part of a celebrated tradition within Western civilization, a tradition deeply embedded in the societal and cultural frameworks of numerous nations.

According to Schmitt, adopting this holiday would also align with historical U.S. practices where many school schedules included closures on both Good Friday and Easter Monday. This traditional approach supports family gatherings and religious observance without the constraint of immediate return to school or work.

Economic and Family-Centric Benefits Highlighted

The Senator also highlights the economic potential of an extended Easter holiday. By providing Americans with an additional day off, Easter Monday could significantly enhance economic activity associated with the weekend’s festivities.

Pointing to existing data, Schmitt estimated that every Easter weekend currently contributes approximately $15 billion to the economy. Extending this period could potentially increase this figure by 10-15%, equating to an additional $2 billion. These figures underscore substantial economic incentives behind the proposed holiday expansion.

Besides the economic factors, Schmitt emphasized the family-oriented nature of the holiday. By extending the holiday to a three-day event, families would have more time to come together, particularly important for those separated by geographical distances. This alignment with family values is pivotal in Schmitt’s vision, framing the extended holiday as both pro-worker and pro-family.

Bipartisan Support Sought for Inclusive Holiday

The legislative effort is not framed as partisan but as a universal enhancement for all Americans regardless of political affiliation. Schmitt has strenuously argued that the celebration of Easter, pivotal in Christian teachings about resurrection, transcends political divides and is intrinsically intertwined with the values of American and Western history.

The proposed holiday also draws comparison to the ‘National Day of Prayer,’ illustrating that federal recognition of religious observances is not unprecedented in the United States. This parallel underscores a historical precedent for integrative religious observance in public life.

Ultimately, Senator Schmitt firmly believes making Easter Monday a federal holiday will not only recognize its religious importance but also bolster a collective American ethos of celebration, remembrance, and unity, making it an emblematic American tradition.