Lawler takes up campaign to make Sept. 11th a federal holiday again

Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler wants to finally make September 11 a federal holiday. If signed into law, the day of remembrance for the tragic events of that day 21 years ago would become the 12th federal holiday – just like New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Despite all the fun things that come with a federal holiday – like playing hooky from work and taking advantage of all the sales discounts at department stores – Lawler maintains that his efforts are about reflecting on one of the most historic days in the nation’s history.

Political observers may be feeling a bit of deja-vu since Lawler tried unsuccessfully to make 9/11 a recognized holiday in New York during his short stint in the Assembly before taking his talents to the hill. And, Lawler isn’t the first New York Congress member to try to get 9/11 recognized nationally. Former Long Island Congress Member Peter King was also a huge proponent of recognizing the importance of 9/11 and advocating for compensation for victims. Along with King, Manhattan Congressional Rep. Jerry Nadler and then-Rep. Carolyn Maloney sponsored the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010.

While there have been calls for making 9/11 a federal holiday for some years, those efforts have been stymied because of the date's close proximity to Labor Day. Still, Lawler is determined to finally get it over the finish line and the support of fellow New York Congressional members is worth noting. Fellow Hudson Valley Congressional Rep. Pat Ryan – who’s a Democrat– has signed on to co-sponsor the legislation along with Republican Long Island Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and Maryland Democratic Rep. David Trone.

Let’s not forget, Lawler is no stranger to doing the impossible. After Lawler’s historical feat of unseating Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Sean Patrick Maloney for his 17th Congressional District seat in last year’s election, some politicos may even argue getting 9/11 recognized as a federal holiday is small potatoes by comparison.