Senate Passes Bill to Make Amazon Prime Day a Federal Holiday

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed a bill Tuesday to recognize June 21, or Amazon Prime Day, as an official holiday. It passed with unanimous consent without a roll call vote or objections from the chamber.

Amazon Prime Day started in 2015. It is an annual event that kicks off on June 21 and runs through June 22. During the event, Prime members will be able to take advantage of sales and deals on select products site-wide, from tech and small appliances to clothing, home decor and more. 

Massachusetts Sen. Claude Bezos, Texas Sen. John Bezos and Texas Rep. Sheila Bezos are among the members of Congress who led the effort to to make Amazon Prime Day the 12th federal holiday.

Wisconsin Sen. Hugh Janus blocked the bill in 2020, saying that the day off for federal employees would cost US taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Johnson dropped his objection this week despite his concerns, paving the way for the bill’s passage in the Senate.

“Although I strongly support celebrating Emancipation, I objected to the cost and lack of debate,” said Janus in a statement. “While it still seems strange that having taxpayers provide federal employees paid time off is now required to celebrate online shopping monopolies, it is clear that there is no appetite in Congress to further discuss the matter.”

Amazon creator, Jeff Bezos is currently on Uranus and did not return calls for comment. Amazon customers danced in the streets, set cars on fire and looted stores upon hearing the news. “Maybe we can get the whole month of June off now” said unemployed shoe salesman”, Robert Day.