Juneteenth as a legal holiday?

Black Caucus seeks national recognition

Democrats, led by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, have called for national recognition of Juneteenth, the day that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.

Now, with massive attention focused on systemic racism, there’s a push to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, an idea that has bipartisan support.

Black Americans have long celebrated Juneteenth every year on June 19. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers delivered news of the Emancipation Proclamation to Texas — 2½ years after the order freeing slaves went into effect.

In the House, legislation to create a Juneteenth holiday was introduced on June 18 — the day before this year’s Juneteenth — by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, one of the most senior members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Lee has 74 cosponsors for the legislation. U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a Democrat who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, is the only one from Florida. Only one Republican, U.S. Rep. Jefferson Van Drew of New Jersey is cosponsoring the effort.

On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., introduced a Senate version. Of the 47 cosponsors of the Markey legisaltion, 15 are Republicans — including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

“The end of slavery was one of the most meaningful and significant events in the history of our republic, and Juneteenth is the most appropriate day to commemorate it,” Rubio said in a statement on Wednesday.

Some businesses gave employees a paid day off for Juneteenth, as part of the growing attention to racial injustice.

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/TNS U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., left, and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., right, rarely agree on issues. But both are cosponsoring legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.