[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1862 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1862
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.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 5, 2025
Ms. Greene of Georgia (for herself, Mr. Brecheen, Mrs. Miller of
Illinois, Mr. Collins, Mr. Gill of Texas, and Mr. Gosar) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and
Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
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
2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The United States is composed of individuals from
diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds who
assimilated into American traditions.
(2) Throughout the history of the United States, one of the
common threads binding individuals of differing backgrounds has
been the English language.
(3) States should establish the English language as the
official language of their respective States, and otherwise
promote the English language within their 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 new chapter:
``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.
``Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted in English
``(a) Official Functions.--The official functions of the Government
of the United States shall be conducted in English.
``(b) Scope.--For the purposes of this section, the term `United
States' means the several States and the District of Columbia, and the
term `official' refers to any function that (i) binds the Government,
(ii) is required by law, or (iii) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by
either the press or the public.
``(c) Practical Effect.--This section shall apply to all laws,
public proceedings, regulations, publications, orders, actions,
programs, and policies, but does not apply to--
``(1) teaching of languages;
``(2) requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act;
``(3) actions, documents, or policies necessary for
national security, international relations, trade, tourism, or
commerce;
``(4) actions or documents that protect the public health
and safety;
``(5) actions or documents that facilitate the activities
of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any census of
population;
``(6) actions that protect the rights of victims of crimes
or criminal defendants; or
``(7) 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 those applying for
naturalization should be able to read and understand generally the
English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the
Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of
the Constitution.
``(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, 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);
``(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.''.
(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 new item:
``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 new section:
``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 is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8 the following new item:
``9. General rules of construction for laws of the United States.''.
SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, issue for public notice and comment a
proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of
candidates for naturalization, based upon the principles that all
citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English
language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and
the laws of the United States which are made in pursuance thereof.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 149. National English Language Day
``(a) Proclamation.--The President shall issue a proclamation
recognizing the integral nature of the English language in the American
nation.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``149. National English Language Day.''.
SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by sections 3, 4, and 6 shall take effect on
the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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