House to vote Wednesday on making Juneteenth a federal holiday

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has announced that the House will vote on making Juneteenth a federal holiday on Wednesday.

Today, the House will take up legislation to make #Juneteenth a federal holiday. I thank @JacksonLeeTX18, @SenMarkey, and @JohnCornyn for their leadership in advancing this important measure.

I look forward to bringing this bill to the Floor, and urge bipartisan support.

— Steny Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) June 16, 2021

The bill passed by unanimous consent in the Senate on Tuesday night, and it seems likely to pass the House, which would send the legislation creating the federal holiday to President Biden’s desk.

It is unclear whether the House will take the same route or hold an official roll call vote.

Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the last remaining enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, being emancipated by Union soldiers. It is being recognized by a number of states on Friday, June 18, this year.