United States · Bill · S
S. 503 (112th)
English Language Unity Act of 2011
Introduced
8 March 2011
Last action
8 March 2011 · Introduced
Status
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sponsors
Rep. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK-1], Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK], Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA], Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Subjects
Asylum, Rule of law
Source updated
5 December 2025
Summary
English Language Unity Act of 2011- 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
8 March 2011
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Source: IntroReferral
8 March 2011
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Introduced in Senate · 8 March 2011 · Official file
Documents
3 official files
Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 8 March 2011
Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 8 March 2011
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 8 March 2011
Sponsors
- Rep. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK-1] · R · Sponsor
- Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] · R · Cosponsor
- · ssga00 · Standing
Related records
- related to → English Language Unity Act of 2011
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/503
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/112/s/503
- us · 112-s-503 · source updated 5 December 2025