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Will Diwali become the 12th federal holiday in the US? Bill introduced in Congress
New Delhi : According to media reports Democratic Representative Grace Meng, along with 19 other US lawmakers, has introduced a bill to make Diwali the 12th federal holiday. In a statement, Grace Meng said, “My Diwali Day Act will help educate the American people about the significance of this day, and I will continue working to build a more inclusive nation that respects the rich cultural traditions of the people here.”
More details
- A reintroduction: The Diwali Day Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives on Monday, November 9, 2026. Meng first introduced it in May 2023, and the earlier version did not advance beyond committee.
- Who is backing it: Meng chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). The co-sponsors include Indian-American lawmakers Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna and Ami Bera.
- What the bill does: It would amend the section of US law that lists the country’s legal public holidays (Title 5, Section 6103) by adding “Diwali Day”. That would put Diwali alongside Thanksgiving, Independence Day and Christmas.
- Why it was introduced: Meng and her supporters say the holiday would recognise the contributions of Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities in the US. They also say a day off would let families and friends celebrate together and show that the government values the country’s cultural diversity.
- Earlier attempts: Former Representative Carolyn Maloney introduced a similar Deepavali Day Act in 2021. Meng is also the author of the Lunar New Year Day Act, which seeks federal recognition for Lunar New Year.