NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) —More than a dozen House Republicans vote against a bill establishing June 19th, or Juneteenth, as a federal holiday- including one Tennessee Republican.
Representative Scott Desjarlais represents parts of Murfreesboro and Williamson County.
He voted against the holiday - saying it's “fiscally irresponsible” to create new paid holidays for federal workers - especially while the majority of private-sector employees still have to work.
“Representative DesJarlais voted no on H. Res. 479 because he believes it is fiscally irresponsible to continue to create new paid holidays for federal workers while the majority of hard-working private-sector employees get left to pay the bill.”
The bill did pass on Capitol Hill.
President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law and making Juneteenth a federal holiday commemorating end of slavery.
In Middle Tennessee, many celebrations are planned for Juneteenth this weekend, including a new statue honoring U.S. Colored Troops will be unveiled at an inaugural Juneteenth event in Franklin. The statue was erected as part of the "Fuller Story Initiative" to honor African American soldiers and will be located in front of the Historic Courthouse.