[Gay State Conservative]

My Senators are Kennedy and Kerry.I wonder if a call from me might sway them!

[Mike Darancette]

They should also make it illegal to have English/Spanish bilinguality as a consideration in employment.

[mlc9852]

What will this mean specifically? Will people still be able to speak in public in a language other than English? Will companies be forbidden from having their products in anything other than English? Many products now have both English and Spanish and sometimes other languages also (like VCRs and other electronics). Would all bilingual forms have to be destroyed? Or is this just a feel-good piece of legislation that will cost money and be meaningless?

[maxter]

This kind of thing is what we expect from our elected leaders. Just standing around waiting to get re-elected just doesn't cut it anymore. Maybe we will see more of it since they may be getting indicators of their majority status on the line.

[one more state]

Do you think even if English as an official language law was passed it would be enforced? I would like to know the percentage of US laws that are enforced. I would also like to know this based on income level. It appears to me law enforcement is only required on the shrinking middle class.

[mathluv]

Since my Senators are Cornyn and Hutchinson, they better vote for it without any doubt.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

If this ammendment gets any traction, you can bet there will be massive protests...by the usual suspects.
And I use the word 'suspects' in a very literal sense.

[Cowboy Bob]

Why not put this on the ballot for the November elections? Do it State by State. Our elected officials are too spineless to pass such a law without the "nudging" of the electorate.

[NearlyNormal]

Switchboard (LOL):

"sólo español, por favor presione el número 2"

[jla]

National Language Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)

HR 4408 IH

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4408

To amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the official language of the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 18, 2005

Mr. KING of New York (for himself, Mr. PAUL, Mr. LATOURETTE, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, Mrs. EMERSON, Mr. LAHOOD, and Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was 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

---

A BILL

To amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the official language of the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

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 `National Language Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE.

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

`CHAPTER 6--LANGUAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT

`Sec.

`161. Declaration of official language.

`162. Official Government activities in English.

`163. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.

`164. Exceptions.

`Sec. 161. Declaration of official language

`English shall be the official language of the Government of the United States.

`Sec. 162. Official government activities in English

`The Government of the United States shall conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials.

`Sec. 163. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language

`The Government of the United States shall preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States of America. Unless specifically stated in applicable law, no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the Government of the United States or any of its officials or representatives act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English. If exceptions are made, that does not create a legal entitlement to additional services in that language or any language other than English. If any forms are issued by the Federal government in a language other than English (or such forms are completed in a language other than English), the English language version of the form is the sole authority for all legal purposes.

`Sec. 164. Exceptions

`This chapter does not apply to the use of a language other than English--

`(1) for religious purposes;

`(2) for training in foreign languages for international communication; or

`(3) to programs in schools designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages.

This chapter does not prevent the Government of the United States from providing interpreters for persons over 62 years of age.'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- The table of chapters for title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

161'.

SEC. 3. REPEAL OF BILINGUAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) In General-

(1) BILINGUAL ELECTION REQUIREMENTS- Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973aa-1a) is repealed.

(2) VOTING RIGHTS- Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973b) is amended by striking subsection (f).

(b) Conforming Amendments-

(1) REFERENCES TO SECTION 203- The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.) is amended--

(A) in section 204, by striking `or 203,'; and

(B) in the first sentence of section 205, by striking `, 202, or 203' and inserting `or 202'.

(2) REFERENCES TO SECTION 4- The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.) is amended--

(A) in sections 2(a), 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 4(d), 5, 6, and 13, by striking `, or in contravention of the guarantees set forth in section 4(f)(2)';

(B) in paragraphs (1)(A) and (3) of section 4(a), by striking `or (in the case of a State or subdivision seeking a declaratory judgment under the second sentence of this subsection) in contravention of the guarantees of subsection (f)(2)'; and

(C) in paragraphs (1)(B) and (5) of section 4(a), by striking `or (in the case of a State or subdivision which sought a declaratory judgment under the second sentence of this subsection) that denials or abridgments of the right to vote in contravention of the guarantees of subsection (f)(2) have occurred anywhere in the territory of such State or subdivision'.

SEC. 4. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR CEREMONIES FOR ADMISSION OF NEW CITIZENS.

Section 337(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1448(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: `All public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to this section shall be conducted solely in the English language.'.

SEC. 5. NONPREEMPTION.

This Act (and the amendments made by this Act) shall not preempt any law of any State.