Federal employees have endured furloughs, shutdowns, and a continuing pay freeze over the past several years. Granting federal employees an extra holiday on December 24th, 2013 would be a good gesture to improve morale of the federal workforce.
This is also consistent with past practice. President Obama provided a full day off on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24th, 2012 and a half day off on Thursday, December 24th, 2009. President George W. Bush provided a half-day holiday on Wednesday, December 24th, 2002, as well as several full days off the day before or after Christmas: Tuesday, December 24th, 2001, Thursday, December 26th, 2003, Tuesday, December 24th, 2007, and Thursday, December 26th, 2008.
We urge President Obama to issue an executive order on this issue.