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H.R. 997

Referred to Committee

English Language Unity Act of 2015

Introduced 2/13/2015•114th Congress•House

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

3/16/2015 • House

Summary

English Language Unity Act of 2015

Establishes English as the official language of the United States.

Requires naturalization ceremonies and official functions of the U.S. government, subject to exceptions, to be conducted in English.

Declares that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of U.S. laws.

Allows a person injured by a violation of this Act to obtain relief, including a declaratory judgment, in a civil action.

Declares that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with U.S. laws. Requires any ambiguity in U.S. laws to be resolved in accordance with the rights retained by the people and the powers reserved to states under the Bill of Rights.

Directs the Department of Homeland Security to issue a proposed rule for uniform testing of the 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.

Introduced in House • 2/13/2015

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Topics & Subjects

Academic performance and assessmentsAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCitizenship and naturalizationCivil actions and liabilityConstitution and constitutional amendmentsDepartment of Homeland SecurityForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesState and local government operations

Congressional Votes (0)

No recorded votes yet

Roll call votes will appear here as the bill moves through Congress

Related Federal Spending

Sponsor & Cosponsors (91)

Party Breakdown

0
Democrats
91
Republicans
0
Independents

Sponsor

R[
Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4]

Republican • IA-4

Sponsored 2/13/2015

Cosponsors (90)

R[
Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-8]

R-AZ-8

Joined 2/24/2015

R[
Rep. Palazzo, Steven M. [R-MS-4]

R-MS-4

Joined 2/24/2015

R[
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]

R-CA-4

Joined 2/24/2015

R[
Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]

R-KY-4

Joined 2/24/2015

R[
Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3]

R-AL-3

Joined 2/24/2015

R[
Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5]

R-CO-5

Joined 2/24/2015

Bill Journey

Originated in the House

Introduced

February 13, 2015

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.

Committee Review

Floor Debate

Passed Chamber

Other Chamber

President

Enacted into Law

Text Versions (1)

Introduced in House2/13/2015

Details

Bill TypeHR
Current StatusReferred to Committee
Cosponsors90