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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 123 (104th)

Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1996

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

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-46], Rep. Hansen, James V. [R-UT-1], Rep. Gutknecht, Gil [R-MN-1], Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5], 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], Sen. Bunning, Jim [R-KY], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], 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-5], Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-2], 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-48], 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-22], 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], Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6], Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11], Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39], Rep. Oxley, Michael G. [R-OH-4], Rep. Payne, Lewis F., Jr. [D-VA-5], Rep. Bliley, Tom [R-VA-7], Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1], Rep. Taylor, Gene [D-MS-4], Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14], Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

10 August 2026

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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

  1. 4 January 1995

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E13, E24)

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 4 January 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 4 January 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 4 January 1995

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 5 January 1995

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E35)

    Source: IntroReferral

  6. 25 January 1995

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.

    Source: Committee

  7. 19 December 1995

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2417-1418)

    Source: IntroReferral

  8. 24 July 1996

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families Discharged.

    Source: Committee

  9. 24 July 1996

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 17.

    Source: Committee

  10. 24 July 1996

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  11. 30 July 1996

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 387.

    Source: Calendars

  12. 30 July 1996

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Economic and Educational. H. Rept. 104-723.

    Source: Committee

  13. 30 July 1996

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Economic and Educational. H. Rept. 104-723.

    Source: Committee

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 1 August 1996

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  17. 1 August 1996

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 169 (Roll no. 391).

    Source: Floor

  18. 1 August 1996

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 169 (Roll no. 391).

    Source: Floor

  19. 1 August 1996

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 171 - 257 (Roll No. 390). (consideration: CR H9771)

    Source: Floor

  20. 1 August 1996

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  21. 1 August 1996

    Floor

    Mr. Serrano moved to recommit with instructions to Economic and Educational.

    Source: Floor

  22. 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

  23. 1 August 1996

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  24. 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

  25. 1 August 1996

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable James V. Hansen to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  26. 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

  27. 1 August 1996

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 499. (consideration: CR H9738-9772)

    Source: Floor

  28. 1 August 1996

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 499 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  29. 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

Documents

11 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 2 August 1996

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 2 August 1996

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 1 August 1996

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 1 August 1996

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 1 August 1996

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 30 July 1996

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 30 July 1996

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  • Reported to House with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 30 July 1996

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 4 January 1995

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 4 January 1995

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 4 January 1995

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