U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, introduced a bill that would punish any local or state government that celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day.

Called the “Italian Heroes and Heritage Act,” Rulli’s bill would prohibit federal funds to local or state governments that have replaced Columbus Day, which is Monday, with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Rulli’s bill doesn’t address local or state governments that celebrate both, stating it would apply to those that celebrate the latter “in lieu of Columbus Day.”

Rulli, an Italian American, said the day recognizes the “generations of Italian Americans whose courage, sacrifice and hard work have helped shape the United States.”

Rulli, whose 11-county district has Mahoning as its most populous, said, “For years, the extreme left has desecrated statues of Christopher Columbus and sought to erase Columbus Day, replacing it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 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.”

Columbus Day was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1934 in the United States on Oct. 12 and then moved to the second Monday in October starting in 1971.

Rulli’s bill mentions that President Benjamin Harrison founded the day in 1892 — 400 years after Columbus’ arrival in the Americas — to honor that voyage and the lynching of 11 Italian Americans in New Orleans because of their heritage.

Harrison’s recognition was a one-time national celebration.

Rulli said: “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.”

Columbus is a polarizing figure. Indigenous people were already in the Americas when Columbus, who believed he was sailing to the East Indies, landed on an island in the Bahamas. Critics say that subsequently resulted in the mistreatment and death of indigenous people.

In 2021, President Joe Biden, a Democrat, issued a proclamation declaring the second Monday in October to also be Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, on Thursday signed a proclamation celebrating Columbus, writing he “has been a prime target of a vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history, slander our heroes and attack our heritage.”

Alaska, Delaware, Maine, Vermont and New Mexico replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. South Dakota celebrates Native American Day instead of Columbus Day.

Numerous cities also have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day while several other states and cities celebrate both. Others don’t celebrate either.