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HR 1005 104th Congress House

National Language Act of 1995

Official title: 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.

Introduced: March 6, 1995 See on congress.gov
Arts, Culture, Religion AllegianceBilingual educationBilingual election requirementsCitizenship
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Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesDepartment of EducationDiscriminationEconomics and Public FinanceEducationElementary and secondary educationEnglish languageExecutive reorganizationFederal aid to educationFederal preemptionGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment publicationsImmigrationIncome taxMinoritiesMunicipal ordinancesOathsSocial WelfareState lawsTax returnsTaxationTranslating and interpretingVoting
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 23, 1996
For Further Action See H.R.351.
Mar 15, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Mar 3, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Feb 21, 1995
Referred to the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities, 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 21, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1910)
Feb 21, 1995
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 23, 1996

For Further Action See H.R.351.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Language Act of 1995 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. Government. Requires the Government to conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials.

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, to programs in schools designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages, or by persons over age 62. Permits the Government to provide interpreters for persons over age 62.

Repeals the Bilingual Education Act. Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education. Sets forth provisions regarding the recapture of unexpended funds and transitional provisions.

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.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 351 Procedurally related Bilingual Voting Requirements Repeal Act of 1996
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 1
R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 6, 1995
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Feb 24, 1995
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1005: National Language Act of 1995. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1005/
MLA
"H.R. 1005: National Language Act of 1995." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1005/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1005, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1005/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1005: National Language Act of 1995](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-1005/)
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