Rulli Bill Would Defund State and Local Governments that Abandon Columbus Day Holiday
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, Congressman Mike Rulli (OH-06), who represents the greater Barnesville area, introduced the Italian Heroes and Heritage Act, legislation that preserves Columbus Day as a nationwide federal holiday honoring Italian American heritage and the historical contributions of Christopher Columbus.
The bill prohibits federal funds from being distributed to any state or local government that replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. It reaffirms the nation’s commitment to recognizing the generations of Italian Americans whose courage, sacrifice, and hard work have helped shape the United States.
“For years, the extreme Left has desecrated statues of Christopher Columbus and sought to erase Columbus Day, replacing it with Indigenous Peoples Day,” said Congressman Rulli. “This is not about inclusion, it is about erasing the contributions of millions of Italian Americans who helped build this nation. Indigenous peoples deserve recognition, but this day was created to honor us.”
Rulli continued, “Columbus Day was not given, it was earned through struggle and sacrifice. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison established the holiday after the lynching of eleven innocent Italian Americans in New Orleans, the largest mass lynching in United States history. These were working class men, laborers, and small business owners who were murdered out of hatred and prejudice. Columbus Day was created as an act of national reconciliation and recognition of the Italian American experience. It celebrates exploration, faith, and family, the values that unite us as Americans. To attack Columbus Day is to attack that legacy of perseverance and pride. Italian Americans fought to be recognized as part of the American story, and we will not allow their memory or their day of honor to be erased.”
The Italian Heroes and Heritage Act safeguards the legacy of Italian Americans and reaffirms the historical importance of Columbus Day as a national celebration of discovery, perseverance, and cultural pride.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Reaffirms Columbus Day as a National Day of Observance:
Recognizes October 13th as Christopher Columbus Day, continuing the tradition established by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892 to honor the spirit of exploration and the enduring contributions of Italian Americans.
Protects Federal Funding Integrity:
Prohibits the use of federal funds by any state or local government that replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, ensuring taxpayer dollars are not used to undermine a holiday that commemorates Italian American heritage.
(Congressman Rulli press release)
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