Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) announced during Holy Week that he is going to introduce legislation to make Easter Monday a federal holiday and in so doing recognize “a tradition that is central to Western civilization.”
Schmitt explained that Easter is “the holiest day in Christianity,” and that 81% of residents of the United States celebrate the holiday. However, he noted that an issue with the nation’s federal holiday schedule makes it “too difficult” to celebrate together, citing how Easter can fall within either March or April during “the longest unbroken work stretch of the calendar,” a reference to how the next federal holiday after President’s Day in February is Memorial Day in May.
As such, legislation to create Easter Monday, and in turn create a three-day holiday weekend, would give both workers and families extra time to celebrate “the most extraordinary day in world history.”
“This isn’t a radical idea,” Schmitt argued in a thread posted to X. “It’s a federal recognition of a tradition that is central to Western civilization—a tradition that’s already recognized as a public holiday in nations across (and beyond!) the West, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most of Western Europe.”
This isn’t a radical idea. It’s a federal recognition of a tradition that is central to Western civilization—a tradition that’s already recognized as a public holiday in nations across (and beyond!) the West, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most of Western Europe. pic.twitter.com/LGyz4FtsuP
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) April 14, 2025
The Missouri senator continued by pointing to how the U.S. already has the National Day of Prayer, celebrated on the first Thursday of May. He also argued that Easter is not “some boutique left-wing micro-holiday” that commemorates “Trans Visibility” or “Indigenous Mourning,” as Easter is a holiday that unites the majority of U.S. residents.
Beyond this, Schmitt pointed to the economic benefits that would come with making Easter a three-day weekend, citing how the holiday currently produces $15 billion for the U.S. economy. By creating an Easter Monday, this total would provide an estimated boost of up to $2 billion.
“Our holidays and traditions are part of the story we tell about ourselves,” Schmitt wrote. “This is not partisan. It’s not a ‘Republican’ or ‘Democrat’ holiday. It’s an American holiday, allowing a fuller celebration of the defining moment of the faith that shaped our nation and civilization.”
Our holidays and traditions are part of the story we tell about ourselves. This is not partisan. It’s not a “Republican” or “Democrat” holiday. It’s an American holiday, allowing a fuller celebration of the defining moment of the faith that shaped our nation and civilization.
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) April 14, 2025
ANGEL STUDIOS THE KING OF KINGS EARNS BIGGEST WEEKEND FOR ANIMATED FAITH FLICK
On Sunday, President Donald Trump and the White House recognized the start of Holy Week, with the president committing to continue protecting Christianity and its practice within the U.S. Trump also cited how Holy Week is a time for Christians to reflect on how Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself before rising from the dead three days later.
Schmitt praised Trump for taking Holy Week “more seriously” than any previous president, while also taking a dig at former President Joe Biden for declaring Easter Sunday “trans visibility day” last year. Multiple faith leaders have also commended the current president while making similar comparisons to his White House predecessor; it comes as several of these leaders have been invited to the White House for a worship service on Thursday.
