MENG REINTRODUCES MEASURES TO MAKE LUNAR NEW YEAR A FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Asian American community celebrates Lunar New Year, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), announced today that she reintroduced a bill to establish Lunar New Year as a federal holiday in conjunction with a resolution to recognize the historical and cultural significance of the holiday. This year is the Year of the Snake.

Meng's measure would make Lunar New Year a federally recognized holiday in the United States, adding it to the list of eleven federal holidays that are currently recognized. 

In addition to the legislation, Meng reintroduced a House resolution that would recognize the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year. The resolution also wishes a happy and prosperous holiday to everybody celebrating, and expresses the deepest respect for Asian Americans and all individuals throughout the world who observe the holiday.

“Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for many in the Asian American community, and is celebrated by millions in the United States and around the world. It is past time that Congress recognizes this holiday on the federal level, and I am proud to be leading the effort to make this a reality,” said Congresswoman Meng. “As programs that benefit our communities come under attack, it is more important than ever to uplift the contributions, traditions, and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and I will continue fighting to ensure their voices are heard in Congress. May this new year bring happiness, prosperity and good health for all who celebrate.”

A copy of Meng's holiday bill, titled the "Lunar New Year Day Act," can be viewed here. The measure has 39 cosponsors. 

A copy of her resolution called "Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2025," which has 50 cosponsors, is available here.

In New York, Meng played a role in creating a school holiday for New York City public schools, and she joined New York Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023 as the Governor signed legislation declaring Lunar New Year a public school holiday in New York State. The Congresswoman first proposed closing New York schools for Lunar New Year when she was a member of the New York State Legislature in 2009.