United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 123 (104th)
Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1996
Introduced
4 January 1995
Last action
2 August 1996 · Introduced
Status
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsors
Rep. Emerson, Bill [R-MO-8], Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7], Rep. Wamp, Zach [R-TN-3], Rep. Dornan, Robert K. [R-CA-38], Rep. Hansen, James V. [R-UT-1], Rep. Gutknecht, Gil [R-MN-1], Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-6], Rep. Doolittle, John T. [R-CA-4], Rep. Kingston, Jack [R-GA-1], Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3], Rep. Ehlers, Vernon J. [R-MI-3], Rep. Bunning, Jim [R-KY-4], Ken Calvert, Rep. Montgomery, G. V. (Sonny) [D-MS-3], Rep. Archer, Bill [R-TX-7], Rep. Dickey, Jay [R-AR-4], Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3], Rep. Livingston, Bob [R-LA-1], Rep. Bevill, Tom [D-AL-4], Rep. Fawell, Harris W. [R-IL-13], Rep. Clinger, William F., Jr. [R-PA-23], PETER KING, Rep. Canady, Charles T. [R-FL-12], Rep. Porter, John Edward [R-IL-10], Rep. Linder, John [R-GA-7], Rep. Regula, Ralph [R-OH-16], Rep. Packard, Ron [R-CA-43], Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR], Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3], Rep. Barrett, Bill [R-NE-3], Rep. Knollenberg, Joe [R-MI-9], Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO], Rep. Hancock, Mel [R-MO-7], Rep. Solomon, Gerald B. H. [R-NY-24], Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6], Rep. Ballenger, Cass [R-NC-10], Rep. Bachus, Spencer [R-AL-6], Rep. Fowler, Tillie [R-FL-4], ROBERT GOODLATTE, Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11], ED ROYCE, Rep. Oxley, Michael G. [R-OH-4], Rep. Payne, Lewis F., Jr. [D-VA-5], Rep. Bliley, Tom [R-VA-3], Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1], Rep. Taylor, Gene [D-MS-5], Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14], Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6]
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
10 August 2026
Summary
Language of Government Act of 1995 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that the Government has an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language. Requires the Government to conduct its official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
4 January 1995
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E13, E24)
Source: IntroReferral
4 January 1995
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
4 January 1995
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
4 January 1995
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.
Source: IntroReferral
5 January 1995
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E35)
Source: IntroReferral
25 January 1995
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Source: Committee
19 December 1995
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2417-1418)
Source: IntroReferral
24 July 1996
Committee
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families Discharged.
Source: Committee
24 July 1996
Vote
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 17.
Source: Committee
24 July 1996
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
30 July 1996
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 387.
Source: Calendars
30 July 1996
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Economic and Educational. H. Rept. 104-723.
Source: Committee
30 July 1996
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Economic and Educational. H. Rept. 104-723.
Source: Committee
31 July 1996
Reported
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 499 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 123 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 3898. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 123.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Vote
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 169 (Roll no. 391).
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 169 (Roll no. 391).
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Vote
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 171 - 257 (Roll No. 390). (consideration: CR H9771)
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
Mr. Serrano moved to recommit with instructions to Economic and Educational.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Passed
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 123 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 3898. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
The Speaker designated the Honorable James V. Hansen to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 499 and Rule XXIII.
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 499. (consideration: CR H9738-9772)
Source: Floor
1 August 1996
Passed
Rule H. Res. 499 passed House.
Source: Floor
2 August 1996
Introduced
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Referred in Senate · 2 August 1996 · Official file
- Engrossed in House · 1 August 1996 · Official file
- Reported in House · 30 July 1996 · Official file
- Introduced in House · 4 January 1995 · Official file
Documents
11 official files
Referred in Senate (text)
Referred in Senate (text)
Referred in Senate · EN · 2 August 1996
Referred in Senate (PDF)
Referred in Senate · EN · 2 August 1996
Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 1 August 1996
Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 1 August 1996
Passed House amended
summary · EN · 1 August 1996
Reported in House (text)
Reported in House · EN · 30 July 1996
Reported in House (PDF)
Reported in House · EN · 30 July 1996
Reported to House with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 30 July 1996
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 4 January 1995
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 4 January 1995
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 4 January 1995
Sponsors
- Rep. Emerson, Bill [R-MO-8] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Wamp, Zach [R-TN-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Dornan, Robert K. [R-CA-38] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Hansen, James V. [R-UT-1] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Gutknecht, Gil [R-MN-1] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-6] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Doolittle, John T. [R-CA-4] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Kingston, Jack [R-GA-1] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Ehlers, Vernon J. [R-MI-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Bunning, Jim [R-KY-4] · R · Sponsor
- Ken Calvert · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Montgomery, G. V. (Sonny) [D-MS-3] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Archer, Bill [R-TX-7] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Dickey, Jay [R-AR-4] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Livingston, Bob [R-LA-1] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Bevill, Tom [D-AL-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Fawell, Harris W. [R-IL-13] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Clinger, William F., Jr. [R-PA-23] · R · Sponsor
- PETER KING · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Canady, Charles T. [R-FL-12] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Porter, John Edward [R-IL-10] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Linder, John [R-GA-7] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Regula, Ralph [R-OH-16] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Packard, Ron [R-CA-43] · R · Sponsor
- Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Barrett, Bill [R-NE-3] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Knollenberg, Joe [R-MI-9] · R · Sponsor
- Sen. Talent, Jim [R-MO] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Hancock, Mel [R-MO-7] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Solomon, Gerald B. H. [R-NY-24] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Ballenger, Cass [R-NC-10] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Bachus, Spencer [R-AL-6] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Fowler, Tillie [R-FL-4] · R · Sponsor
- ROBERT GOODLATTE · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11] · R · Cosponsor
- ED ROYCE · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Oxley, Michael G. [R-OH-4] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Payne, Lewis F., Jr. [D-VA-5] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Bliley, Tom [R-VA-3] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Taylor, Gene [D-MS-5] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6] · R · Cosponsor
Showing 48 of 200 sponsors and actors.
Related records
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/123
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/104/hr/123
- us · 104-hr-123 · source updated 10 August 2026