'Charlie Kirk Act' advancing through legislature

TIFFIN — State Rep. Gary Click's "Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act," designed to encourage teaching "the positive impact of religion on American history," appears to be making its way through the Ohio Senate after passing the Ohio House. The measure by Click, R-Vickery, and Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, passed the Ohio House in November. It's now in the Ohio Senate, where it's been assigned to the Senate's Education Committee. If the committee approves the bill, it would then be taken up by the entire Senate. Click noted that the Education Committee has taken sponsor testimony and said he is "optimistic" the committee will move on the bill. The Kirk Act, House Bill 468, declares that "the teaching of the historical and positive impact of religion on American history is consistent with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. "An accurate and historical account of the influence of Christianity on the freedom and liberties ingrained in our culture is imperative to reducing ignorance of American history, hate and violence within our society," it says. Click contends that it's reasonable to teach about the role Christianity has played in American history, such as pointing out the role Christian leaders played in ending slavery. The measure's critics include Bend the Arc, which describes itself as a group of Jews and allies that seeks to "to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism and racism." The group has asked Jews in Ohio to lobby against the measure. "This bill is yet another attempt by Ohio lawmakers to forward a Christian nationalist agenda and undermine our multicultural and multi-faith democracy," the group claims. "It relies on false narratives and a whitewashed framing of U.S. history, with a singular focus on Christianity. Ultimately the purpose of bills such as these is to enshrine the claim that 'America is a Christian country' — and this sets a dangerous precedent." The 62-27 vote in the Ohio House on Nov. 19 approving the bill was along party lines, with all of the "Yes" votes coming from Republicans, and all of the "No" votes from Democrats. Local lawmakers who voted to approve the measure included Click, D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and Kellie Deeter, R-Norwalk. Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist, was 31 when he was shot dead on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Utah. Kirk's alleged assassin, Tyler James Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder and other crimes and is awaiting trial. If convicted, Robinson could receive the death penalty.