[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 426 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
103d CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 426
To amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the
official language of the Government of the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 24 (legislative day, January 5), 1993
Mr. Shelby introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the
official language of the Government of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Language of Government Act of
1993''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds and declares that--
(1) the United States is comprised of individuals and
groups from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic
backgrounds;
(2) the United States has benefited and continues to
benefit from this rich diversity;
(3) throughout the history of the Nation, the common thread
binding those of differing backgrounds has been a common
language;
(4) to preserve unity in diversity, and to prevent division
along linguistic lines, the United States should maintain a
language common to all people;
(5) English has historically been the common language and
the language of opportunity in the United States;
(6) the use of a single common language in the conduct of
the Government's official business will promote efficiency and
fairness to all people; and
(7) English should be recognized in law as the language of
official business of the Government.
(b) Construction.--The amendments made by section 3--
(1) are not intended in any way to discriminate against or
restrict the rights of any individual in the United States;
(2) are not intended to discourage or prevent the use of
languages other than English in any nonofficial capacity; and
(3) except where an existing law of the United States
directly contravenes the amendments made by section 3 (such as
by requiring the use of a language other than English for
official business of the Government of the United States), are
not intended to repeal existing laws of the United States.
SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF GOVERNMENT.
(a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 6--LANGUAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT
``Sec.
``161. Declaration of official language of Government.
``162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.
``163. Official Government activities in English.
``164. Standing.
``165. Definitions.
``Sec. 161. Declaration of official language of Government
``The official language of the Government of the United States is
English.
``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
``The Government shall have an affirmative obligation to preserve
and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United
States Government. Such obligation shall include encouraging greater
opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.
``Sec. 163. Official Government activities in English
``(a) The Government shall conduct its official business in
English.
``(b) No person shall be denied services, assistance, or
facilities, directly or indirectly provided by the Government solely
because the person communicates in English.
``(c) Every person in the United States is entitled to--
``(1) communicate with the Government in English;
``(2) receive information from or contribute information to
the Government in English; and
``(3) be informed of or be subject to official orders in
English.
``Sec. 164. Standing
``Any person alleging injury arising from a violation of this
chapter shall have standing to sue in the courts of the United States
under sections 2201 and 2202 of title 28, United States Code, and for
such other relief as may be considered appropriate by the courts.
``Sec. 165. Definitions
``For purposes of this chapter:
``(1) The term `Government' means all branches of the
Government of the United States and all employees and officials
of the Government of the United States while performing
official business.
``(2) The term `official business' means those governmental
actions, documents, or policies which are enforceable with the
full weight and authority of the Government, but does not
include--
``(A) actions or documents that are primarily
informational or educational;
``(B) actions, documents, or policies that are not
enforceable in the United States;
``(C) actions, documents, or policies necessary for
international relations, trade, or commerce;
``(D) actions or documents that protect the public
health or safety;
``(E) actions that protect the rights of victims of
crimes or criminal defendants; and
``(F) documents that utilize terms of art or
phrases from languages other than English.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 4,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``6. Language of the Government............................. 161''.
SEC. 4. PREEMPTION.
This Act (and the amendments made by this Act) shall not preempt
any law of any State.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by section 3 shall take effect upon the date of
enactment of this Act, except that no suit may be commenced to enforce
or determine rights under the amendments until January 1, 1994.
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