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Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
H.R. 794 would add Lunar New Year Day to the list of federal holidays by amending title 5 of the U.S. Code. Specifically, the bill inserts Lunar New Year Day into 5 U.S.C. 6103(a) as a federal holiday, positioned immediately after the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. This would designate a new day for federal observance across U.S. government operations. The bill’s text does not specify how the date of Lunar New Year Day would be determined each year, nor does it include funding or implementing provisions beyond the statutory addition. It was introduced in the 119th Congress and referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, with a slate of cosponsors led by Rep. Meng.
Key Points
- 1Establishes Lunar New Year Day as a federal holiday.
- 2The designation is inserted into the list of federal holidays (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) immediately after MLK Day.
- 3The full text provided does not define how the date for Lunar New Year Day is to be determined each year.
- 4No funding or specific implementation provisions are included in the bill beyond the statutory designation.
- 5The bill was introduced January 28, 2025, with multiple cosponsors and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected: Federal employees and federal offices nationwide, which would observe Lunar New Year Day as a paid holiday, potentially requiring agency closures or altered operations on that date.Secondary group/area affected: United States Postal Service (which typically observes federal holidays) and federal contractors/grantees that align operations with federal holiday schedules.Additional impacts:- Observance could reflect cultural recognition and inclusivity for communities that celebrate the Lunar New Year.- Practical questions about date determination (which year’s date and how it’s set) would likely need implementing regulations or Presidential or agency guidance.- Potential minor economic effects related to scheduling, leave accounting, and holiday-related payroll adjustments across federal agencies and services.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025