Meng Reintroduces Bill to Make Diwali Federal Holiday
Rep. Grace Meng's Diwali Day Act would add the festival as the 12th federally recognized U.S. holiday.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Hinduism
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Rep. Grace Meng reintroduced the Diwali Day Act to recognize Diwali as a federal holiday, following celebrations on November 7 and 8. The bill is co-sponsored by 19 Members of Congress and endorsed by 19 organizations.
Why it matters
The legislation is presented as a response to rising anti-Hindu and anti-South Asian hate, with supporters arguing that federal recognition would signal that Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists are valued members of American society. Recognition would also help educate Americans about the festival's importance.
The bill has 19 co-sponsoring Members of Congress and is endorsed by 19 organizations, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Asian American Federation (AAF), and Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA). If enacted, Diwali would become the 12th federally recognized holiday in the United States.
The players
Grace Meng
A Democratic U.S. Representative from New York who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and previously authored the Lunar New Year Day Act.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
A national civil rights organization that advocates for the civil rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities.
Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA)
A coalition of Hindu American organizations that advocates for Hindu civil rights and public recognition in the United States.
The details
Meng reintroduced the bill in a November 9 press release from her office, which chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and represents New York's 6th Congressional District in Queens. Co-sponsors include Reps. Nanette Barragán, Wesley Bell, Ami Bera, André Carson, Judy Chu, and 14 others.
Timeline
November 7 and 8, 2026: Communities across the United States celebrated Diwali.
November 9, 2026: Meng's office issued a press release announcing the reintroduction.
Legislative Pattern
The Diwali Day Act follows the approach of Meng's earlier Lunar New Year Day Act, which sought federal recognition of another Asian festival. Both bills reflect an effort to add religious and cultural observances to the federal holiday calendar.
If the bill passes, Diwali would become a federal holiday, which could affect federal workplace schedules and observance across the country. Its status would remain unchanged until Congress acts on the legislation.
The takeaway
Federal recognition would formally mark Diwali alongside other national observances, a step its supporters say would affirm the place of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists in American life. The bill's path through Congress remains to be seen.
Further reading
Explore more on Hinduism and the traditions behind the festival.
More information
Read the Diwali Day Act bill text on the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News India Times.
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