[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 678 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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115th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 678
To declare English as the official language of the United States, to
establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to
avoid misconstructions of the English language texts of the laws of the
United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to provide for the general
welfare of the United States and to establish a uniform rule of
naturalization under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 21, 2017
Mr. Inhofe (for himself, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Isakson)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To declare English as the official language of the United States, to
establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to
avoid misconstructions of the English language texts of the laws of the
United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to provide for the general
welfare of the United States and to establish a uniform rule of
naturalization under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.
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 ``English Language Unity Act of
2017''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The United States is comprised of individuals from
diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and
continues to benefit from this rich diversity.
(2) Throughout the history of the United States, the common
thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been
the English language.
(3) Among the powers reserved to the States respectively is
the power to establish the English language as the official
language of the respective States, and otherwise to promote the
English language within the respective States, subject to the
prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United
States and in laws of the respective States.
SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.
(a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 6--OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
``Sec. 161. Official language of the United States
``The official language of the United States is English.
``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
``Representatives of the Federal Government shall have an
affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as
the official language of the Federal Government. Such obligation shall
include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the
English language.
``Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted in English
``(a) Scope.--For the purposes of this section--
``(1) the term `official' refers to any function that--
``(A) binds the Government;
``(B) is required by law; or
``(C) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either
the press or the public; and
``(2) the term `United States' means the several States and
the District of Columbia.
``(b) Official Functions.--The official functions of the Government
of the United States shall be conducted in English.
``(c) Practical Effect.--This section--
``(1) shall apply to all laws, public proceedings,
regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and
policies; and
``(2) shall not apply to--
``(A) teaching of languages;
``(B) requirements under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
``(C) actions, documents, or policies necessary for
national security, international relations, trade,
tourism, or commerce;
``(D) actions or documents that protect the public
health and safety;
``(E) actions or documents that facilitate the
activities of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any
census of population;
``(F) actions that protect the rights of victims of
crimes or criminal defendants; or
``(G) using terms of art or phrases from languages
other than English.
``Sec. 164. Uniform English language rule for naturalization
``(a) Uniform Language Testing Standard.--All citizens of the
United States should be able to read and understand generally the
English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the
Constitution of the United States, and the laws of the United States
made in pursuance of the Constitution of the United States.
``(b) Ceremonies.--All naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted
in English.
``Sec. 165. Rules of construction
``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--
``(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or any officer or
agent of the Federal Government, while performing official
functions under section 163, from communicating unofficially
through any medium with another person in a language other than
English (as long as official functions are performed in
English);
``(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or
Native American languages (as defined in the Native American
Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.));
``(3) to disparage any language or to discourage any person
from learning or using a language; or
``(4) to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the
United States.
``Sec. 166. Standing
``A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil
action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 28) obtain
appropriate relief.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters at the beginning of
title 4, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to chapter 5 the following:
``Chapter 6. Official Language''.
SEC. 4. GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEXTS OF THE
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 9. General rules of construction for laws of the United States
``(a) English language requirements and workplace policies, whether
in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with
the laws of the United States.
``(b) Any ambiguity in the English language text of the laws of the
United States shall be resolved, in accordance with the last two
articles of the Bill of Rights, not to deny or disparage rights
retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the States
respectively, or to the people.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 8 the following:
``9. General rules of construction for laws of the United States.''.
SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue for public notice and
comment a proposed rule for uniform testing English language ability of
candidates for naturalization, which shall be based upon the principles
that--
(1) all citizens of the United States should be able to
read and understand generally the English language text of the
Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United
States, and the laws of the United States which are made in
pursuance thereof; and
(2) any exceptions to the standard described in paragraph
(1) should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as
asylum.
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on the
date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
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