House to vote Wednesday on making Juneteenth a federal holiday

Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in America is finally on the precipice of becoming a federal holiday, as the House on Wednesday passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act by a vote of 415-14.

All 14 “no” votes came from Republicans. Two members did not vote.

“What I see here today is racial divide crumbling being crushed, this day, under a momentous vote that brings together people who understand the value of freedom,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), the sponsor of the bill, said at a press conference with other lawmakers shortly before the vote.