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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 997 (111th)

English Language Unity Act of 2009

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

11 February 2009

Last action

23 July 2009 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Sponsors

Steve King, Rep. Bachmann, Michele [R-MN-6], Marsha Blackburn, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Michael Burgess, Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-6], Rep. Coble, Howard [R-NC-6], JOHN CULBERSON, DANA ROHRABACHER, Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-33], JOHN DUNCAN, Trent Franks, Rep. Brown, Henry E., Jr. [R-SC-1], Rep. Herger, Wally [R-CA-2], Rep. Inglis, Bob [R-SC-4], WALTER JONES, Michael McCaul, Patrick McHenry, Rep. Paul, Ron [R-TX-22], David Roe, Mike Rogers, PATRICK TIBERI, Rep. Broun, Paul C. [R-GA-10], Sam Graves, Gus Bilirakis, Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9], Michael Simpson, Rep. McHugh, John M. [R-NY-23], Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19], Rep. Hoekstra, Peter [R-MI-2], Rep. Sullivan, John [R-OK-1], Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50], Harold Rogers, Rep. Rogers, Mike J. [R-MI-8], Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10], Rep. Fleming, John [R-LA-4], Adrian Smith, Bill Shuster, Virginia Foxx, Ted Poe, Frank Lucas, Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6], Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1], Rep. Miller, Gary G. [R-CA-31], Rep. Kline, John [R-MN-2], Kenny Marchant, Cynthia Lummis, Robert Wittman

Subjects

Asylum, Rule of law

Source updated

23 March 2026

Asylum · Rule of law

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

English Language Unity Act of 2009 - Makes English the official language of the United States. Requires, subject to exceptions and rules of construction, that: (1) official functions of the United States be conducted in English; and (2) all naturalization ceremonies be conducted in English. Establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization. Makes English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to 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: (1) 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; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 11 February 2009

    Introduced

    Referred to House Education and Labor

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 11 February 2009

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 11 February 2009

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 11 February 2009

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 23 March 2009

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

    Source: Committee

  6. 23 July 2009

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

View fileDownload file

Sponsors

Showing 48 of 141 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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