[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 31 (Tuesday, March 5, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1132-S1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Mr. Coburn, and Mr. Chambliss):
  S. 464. A bill to declare English as the official language of the 
United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for 
naturalization, and to avoid misconstructions of the English language 
texts of the laws of the United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to 
provide for the general welfare of the United States and to establish a 
uniform rule of naturalization under article I, section 8, of the 
Constitution; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today I would like to introduce a piece of 
legislation that I believe is of great importance to the unity of the 
American people--the English Language Unity Act of 2013.
  That English Language Unity Act of 2013 recognizes the practical 
reality of the role of English as our national language and makes 
English the official language of the United States government, a status 
in law it has not had before, and calls on government to preserve and 
enhance the role of English as the official language.
  Let me be clear, nothing in the bill prohibits the use of a language 
other than English. The bill specifically exempts certain actions from 
requiring English, such as actions necessary for national security, 
trade, and protecting the public health and safety. The English 
Language Unity Act is an attempt to legislate a common sense language 
policy that a nation of immigrants needs one national language. Our 
Nation was settled by a group of people with a common vision. As our 
population has grown, our cultural diversity has grown as well. This 
diversity is part of what makes our nation great.
  However, we must be able to communicate with one another so that we 
can

[[Page S1133]]

appreciate our differences. When members of our society cannot speak a 
common language, misunderstandings arise. Furthermore, the individuals 
who do not speak the language of the majority miss out on many 
opportunities to advance in society and achieve the American Dream.
  The English Language Unity Act of 2013 requires the establishment of 
a uniform language requirement for naturalization and requires that all 
naturalization ceremonies be conducted in English. I want to empower 
new immigrants coming to our nation by helping them understand and 
become successful in their new home. I believe that one of the most 
important ways immigrants can achieve success is by learning English.
  There is enormous popular support for English as the official 
language according to polling that has taken place over the last few 
years. A large majority of Americans support making English the 
official language of the United States. There is also widespread and 
bipartisan support for this legislation, and I hope that you will join 
me this Congress in supporting the English Language Unity Act of 2013.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 464

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``English Language Unity Act 
     of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds and declares the following:
       (1) The United States is comprised of individuals from 
     diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and 
     continues to benefit from this rich diversity.
       (2) Throughout the history of the United States, the common 
     thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been 
     the English language.
       (3) Among the powers reserved to the States respectively is 
     the power to establish the English language as the official 
     language of the respective States, and otherwise to promote 
     the English language within the respective States, subject to 
     the prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United 
     States and in laws of the respective States.

     SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new chapter:

                     ``CHAPTER 6--OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

     ``Sec. 161. Official language of the United States

       ``The official language of the United States is English.

     ``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official 
       language

       ``Representatives of the Federal Government shall have an 
     affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of 
     English as the official language of the Federal Government. 
     Such obligation shall include encouraging greater 
     opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.

     ``Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted 
       in English

       ``(a) Official Functions.--The official functions of the 
     Government of the United States shall be conducted in 
     English.
       ``(b) Scope.--For the purposes of this section--
       ``(1) the term `United States' means the several States and 
     the District of Columbia; and
       ``(2) the term `official' refers to any function that--
       ``(A) binds the Government;
       ``(B) is required by law; or
       ``(C) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either the press 
     or the public.
       ``(c) Practical Effect.--This section shall apply to all 
     laws, public proceedings, regulations, publications, orders, 
     actions, programs, and policies, but does not apply to--
       ``(1) teaching of languages;
       ``(2) requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act;
       ``(3) actions, documents, or policies necessary for 
     national security, international relations, trade, tourism, 
     or commerce;
       ``(4) actions or documents that protect the public health 
     and safety;
       ``(5) actions or documents that facilitate the activities 
     of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any census of 
     population;
       ``(6) actions that protect the rights of victims of crimes 
     or criminal defendants; or
       ``(7) using terms of art or phrases from languages other 
     than English.

     ``Sec. 164. Uniform English language rule for naturalization

       ``(a) Uniform Language Testing Standard.--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 made in 
     pursuance of the Constitution.
       ``(b) Ceremonies.--All naturalization ceremonies shall be 
     conducted in English.

     ``Sec. 165. Rules of construction

       ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--
       ``(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or any officer or 
     agent of the Federal Government, while performing official 
     functions, from communicating unofficially through any medium 
     with another person in a language other than English (as long 
     as official functions are performed in English);
       ``(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or 
     Native American languages (as defined in the Native American 
     Languages Act);
       ``(3) to disparage any language or to discourage any person 
     from learning or using a language; or
       ``(4) to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the 
     United States.

     ``Sec. 166. Standing

       ``A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a 
     civil action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 
     28) obtain appropriate relief.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters at the 
     beginning of title 4, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to chapter 5 the following 
     new item:

                   ``Chapter 6. Official Language''.

     SEC. 4. GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE 
                   TEXTS OF THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 8. General rules of construction for laws of the 
       United States

       ``(a) English language requirements and workplace policies, 
     whether in the public or private sector, shall be 
     presumptively consistent with the Laws of the United States.
       ``(b) Any ambiguity in the English language text of the 
     Laws of the United States shall be resolved, in accordance 
     with the last two articles of the Bill of Rights, not to deny 
     or disparage rights retained by the people, and to reserve 
     powers to the States respectively, or to the people.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 1 of title 1, is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 7 the following new item:

``8. General Rules of Construction for Laws of the United States.''.

     SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.

       The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, issue for public 
     notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing 
     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 which are made in pursuance thereof; and
       (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to 
     extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

     SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by sections 3 and 4 shall take effect 
     on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.

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