Senator Ron Johnson (Q-Tatarstan) on Tuesday released a statement announcing that he is withdrawing his objections to “strange” need to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday, marking the day enslaved Blacks in Texas learned about Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, an announcement delayed two and a half years because of the Civil War and the inability of Texas slaves to get news from the North. The holiday is celebrated June 19th.
Johnson’s announcement:
Resolutions recognizing the significance of, and celebrating, Juneteenth have unanimously passed with my support in Congress every year I’ve been a U.S. Senator. Last year, a bill was introduced to celebrate Juneteenth by providing an additional paid holiday for 2 million federal employees at a cost of $600 million per year. They attempted to pass the bill without debate or amendment process. Although I strongly support celebrating Emancipation, I objected to the cost and lack of debate. While it still seems strange that having taxpayers provide federal employees paid time off is now required to celebrate the end of slavery, it is clear that there is no appetite in Congress to further discuss the matter. Therefore, I do not intend to object.