Diwali Could Become a Federal Holiday Before Easter Under New Bill
Summary
Representative Grace Meng has introduced the Diwali Day Act, which would make Diwali a federal holiday in the United States. The bill has 19 co-sponsors and is its second congressional introduction; an earlier version did not advance beyond a House committee.Key Facts
- Meng, a Democrat representing New York's 6th congressional district, introduced the bill.
- The bill would designate Diwali as the 12th federal holiday.
- The legislation was first introduced in 2023 and has now been submitted to Congress again.
- The bill has 19 co-sponsors, including Representatives Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib, and Josh Gottheimer.
- The earlier version was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and did not advance further.
- Diwali is a five-day festival observed by many Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
- The article says the 2026 festival runs from November 6 to 10, and the 2027 festival is scheduled to begin on October 27.
- The Asian American Federation, the Indian Diaspora Council, and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center have endorsed the measure.
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