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<BillSummaries>
<item congress="113" measure-type="hr" measure-number="997" measure-id="id113hr997" originChamber="HOUSE" orig-publish-date="2013-03-06" update-date="2013-03-28">
<title>English Language Unity Act of 2013</title>
<summary summary-id="id113hr997v00" currentChamber="HOUSE" update-date="2013-03-28">
<action-date>2013-03-06</action-date>
<action-desc>Introduced in House</action-desc>
<summary-text><![CDATA[<p>English Language Unity Act of 2013 - Makes English the official language of the United States. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>Establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization.</p> <p>Makes English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States. <p>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.]]></summary-text>
</summary>
</item>
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<dc:language>EN</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.</dc:rights>
<dc:contributor>Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress</dc:contributor>
<dc:description>This file contains bill summaries for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.</dc:description>
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