Congress 108 - HR 931 - National Language Act of 2003

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

Allegiance Bilingualism Citizenship Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Department of Education Discrimination Economics and Public Finance Education Elementary and secondary education English language Entitlements Executive reorganization Federal aid to education Federal preemption Government Operations and Politics Government publications Immigration Income tax Local laws Loyalty oaths Minorities Naturalization Social Welfare State laws Tax returns Taxation Translating and interpreting Voting Voting rights

Full Text

View Full Bill Text

Votes

Summary

National Language Act of 2003 - 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, in school programs designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages, or by persons over age 62.

Repeals the Bilingual Education Act. Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education.

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 the law of any State.

Actions

Mar 17, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
Mar 6, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Feb 26, 2003

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.
Feb 26, 2003

Introduced in House

Amendments

Related Bills