Skip to content
PoliticalRepoPoliticalRepo

United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 997 (113th)

English Language Unity Act of 2013

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

6 March 2013

Last action

8 April 2013 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Sponsors

Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4], Rep. Westmoreland, Lynn A. [R-GA-3], Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11], Rep. Palazzo, Steven M. [R-MS-4], Rep. Nunnelee, Alan [R-MS-1], Rep. Coble, Howard [R-NC-6], Rep. Hall, Ralph M. [R-TX-4], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3], Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1], Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10], Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48], Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15], Rep. Broun, Paul C. [R-GA-10], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5], Rep. Gibbs, Bob [R-OH-7], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Barletta, Lou [R-PA-11], Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-3], Rep. Salmon, Matt [R-AZ-5], Rep. Kingston, Jack [R-GA-1], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. McIntyre, Mike [D-NC-7], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3], Rep. Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-3], Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2], Rep. Shuster, Bill [R-PA-9], Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12], Rep. Jordan, Jim [R-OH-4], Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Nugent, Richard B. [R-FL-11], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Hartzler, Vicky [R-MO-4], Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3], Rep. Young, C. W. Bill [R-FL-13], Rep. Stockman, Steve [R-TX-36], Rep. Bridenstine, Jim [R-OK-1], Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24], Rep. Rothfus, Keith J. [R-PA-12], Rep. Huelskamp, Tim [R-KS-1], Rep. Womack, Steve [R-AR-3]

Subjects

Asylum, Rule of law

Source updated

27 January 2026

Asylum · Rule of law

Summary

English Language Unity Act of 2013 - Makes English the official language of the United States. Requires, subject to exceptions and rules of construction, that: (1) official functions of the U.S. government 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 (DHS) 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. 6 March 2013

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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

  2. 6 March 2013

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 6 March 2013

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 8 April 2013

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

View fileDownload file

This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.

Leesvertaling

Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 6 March 2013

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 6 March 2013

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 6 March 2013

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Showing 48 of 97 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.