Proposed 'Heroes and Heritage Act' Threatens Federal Funds for Cities Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

The proposed Italian Heroes and Heritage Act is straightforward: it aims to keep Christopher Columbus Day front and center, but it comes with a serious financial catch. Section 2 starts by affirming Congress’s belief that October 13th should continue to celebrate both Christopher Columbus’s voyage and Italian-American heritage, specifically noting the tragic 1892 lynching of eleven Italian-Americans in New Orleans. It’s a clear statement that Congress wants this specific historical commemoration to stick.

The Federal Funding Ultimatum

Section 3 is where things get real, and potentially very expensive, for local governments. This section states that starting after October 13, 2025, and every year thereafter, the federal government cannot provide any federal funds to a state or local government if that jurisdiction is celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. This isn't a suggestion; it’s a hard funding ban for a full year.

Think about the practical impact: if a city council decides to officially switch the holiday from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, that city loses access to all federal funds—money for infrastructure, housing assistance, school lunch programs, and even emergency services—for 12 months. For a city that relies on federal grants to keep its water treatment plant running or its buses operating, this is an existential threat. It essentially uses the power of the federal purse to mandate which holiday local governments must observe.

Local Autonomy vs. Federal Mandate

This provision creates a high-stakes choice for local officials. Many cities and counties have already moved to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, often citing concerns over Columbus’s historical actions and a desire to honor Native American heritage. This bill forces those governments to choose between their local policy preference and vital federal funding. It’s a classic example of federal power conditioning local action, but applied to a cultural and historical commemoration rather than a typical policy area like highway construction.

For residents, this means that even if your local government wants to honor Indigenous Peoples Day, they might not be able to afford the potential fallout. If your school district relies on federal Title I funding or your community needs FEMA disaster relief money, the local government will likely be forced to stick with Columbus Day to avoid a catastrophic budget hole. The bill is low on vagueness—the consequence is clear and severe—but the impact on essential services in affected communities could be massive.