hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Adds Lincoln's Birthday; sets Washington's Birthday to February 22.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), sponsor of this bill.
In committee, no House vote yet.
This bill proposes adding Abraham Lincoln's Birthday as a new federal holiday and changing George Washington's Birthday from the third Monday in February to a fixed date of February 22. Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, introduced this bill, which has been sent to a committee for review. This is an early stage, meaning the bill has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Introduced Feb 24, 2026
H.R. 7663 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ogles on February 24, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. This means the bill is currently undergoing review within this committee. For the bill to become law, it must pass through this committee, be approved by a vote in the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, federal government employees would observe an additional paid holiday for Lincoln's Birthday. The date for Washington's Birthday would no longer float to create a long weekend, but would always be observed on February 22, regardless of the day of the week. While federal holidays directly affect government operations, many private businesses, schools, and state governments often follow federal holiday schedules, potentially impacting their closures or observances.
Supporters Say
Supporters say this bill appropriately honors historical figures and provides an additional federal holiday for the public.
Critics Say
Critics might raise concerns about the economic cost and impact on productivity of an additional federal holiday.
Proponents might argue that establishing Lincoln's Birthday as a federal holiday recognizes his significant contributions to the nation, and returning Washington's Birthday to its traditional date honors historical accuracy. Conversely, some may question the practical effects of adding another federal holiday, such as potential disruptions to business and government services, or the financial implications of paid time off for federal workers.