National Language Act of 2005

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.

11/18/2005--Introduced.
National Language Act of 2005 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. government. Requires the government to:
(1) conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials; and />(2) preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States of America. Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the government act, communicate, perform, or provide services or materials in any other language, unless specifically stated in applicable law. Provides that this Act shall not apply to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, or in school programs designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages. States that this does not prevent the U.S. government from providing interpreters for persons over age 62. Repeals provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding bilingual election requirements and regarding congressional findings of voting discrimination against language minorities, prohibition of English-only elections, and other remedial measures. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that all public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to such Act be conducted solely in English. Specifies that this Act shall not preempt any state law.


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Sponsor

• Rep. Peter King [R, NY-3]
• and 19 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. James Barrett [R, SC-3]
  • Rep. Marsha Blackburn [R, TN-7]
  • Rep. Virginia Brown-Waite [R, FL-5]
  • Rep. Geoff Davis [R, KY-4]
  • Rep. John Duncan [R, TN-2]
  • Rep. Jo Ann Emerson [R, MO-8]
  • Rep. Terry Everett [R, AL-2]
  • Rep. Virgil Goode [R, VA-5]
  • Rep. Steve King [R, IA-5]
  • Rep. Ray LaHood [R, IL-18]
  • Rep. Steven LaTourette [R, OH-14]
  • Rep. Thaddeus McCotter [R, MI-11]
  • Rep. Gary Miller [R, CA-42]
  • Rep. Jeff Miller [R, FL-1]
  • Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14]
  • Rep. Tom Price [R, GA-6]
  • Rep. Gene Taylor [D, MS-4]
  • Rep. Roger Wicker [R, MS-1]
  • Rep. Addison Wilson [R, SC-2]
  close

Committees

• House Judiciary
• 2 more
  • House Education and the Workforce
  • House Education and the Workforce
  close

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.4408

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
November 18, 2005

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All Bill Actions

• Mar 27, 2006: Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
• Introduced on Nov 18, 2005.
• Nov 18, 2005: Referred to House Judiciary

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Related Issue Areas:

• Communications
• Aged
• Allegiance
• Bilingualism
• 25 more
• Budgets
• Citizenship
• Civil rights
• Discrimination
• Elections
• English language
• Entitlements
• Federal preemption
• Government information
• Government publications
• Immigration
• Income tax
• Local laws
• Loyalty oaths
• Minorities
• Naturalization
• Politics and government
• Social services
• State and local government
• State laws
• Tax returns
• Taxation
• Translating and interpreting
• Voting
• Voting rights

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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