HR 123
104th Congress
House
Arts, Culture, Religion
Alaska
Bilingual election requirements
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Discrimination
English language
Federal preemption
Government Operations and Politics
Immigration
Language and languages
Law
Minorities
Native Americans
Naturalization
Parties to actions
State laws
Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1996
Introduced: January 4, 1995
See on congress.gov
Everywhere this bill has been
32 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 2, 1996
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Aug 1, 1996
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Aug 1, 1996
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 169 (Roll no. 391).
Aug 1, 1996
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 169 (Roll no. 391).
Aug 1, 1996
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 171 - 257 (Roll No. 390). (consideration: CR H9771)
Aug 1, 1996
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Aug 1, 1996
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Serrano motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion require that the bill be reported back to the House with an amendment in the nature of a substitute which consists essentially of the text of the Serrano amendment previously rejected by the Committee of the Whole, but with certain modifications.
Aug 1, 1996
Mr. Serrano moved to recommit with instructions to Economic and Educational.
Aug 1, 1996
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Aug 1, 1996
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Aug 1, 1996
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 123.
Aug 1, 1996
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 499, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of debate on the Serrano amendment.
Aug 1, 1996
The Committee of the Whole resumed debate.
Aug 1, 1996
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 499, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cunningham amendent.
Aug 1, 1996
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Aug 1, 1996
The Speaker designated the Honorable James V. Hansen to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Aug 1, 1996
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 499 and Rule XXIII.
Aug 1, 1996
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 123 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 3898. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Aug 1, 1996
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 499. (consideration: CR H9738-9772)
Aug 1, 1996
Rule H. Res. 499 passed House.
Jul 31, 1996
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 499 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 123 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 3898. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 30, 1996
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 387.
Jul 30, 1996
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Economic and Educational. H. Rept. 104-723.
Jul 24, 1996
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families Discharged.
Jul 24, 1996
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 17.
Jul 24, 1996
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Dec 19, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2417-1418)
Jan 25, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Jan 5, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E35)
Jan 4, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.
Jan 4, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E13, E24)
Jan 4, 1995
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
2
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 1996 | House · vote #391 | On Passage | Passed | 259–169 | See who voted → |
| Aug 1, 1996 | House · vote #390 | On Motion to Recommit with Instructions | Failed | 171–257 | See who voted → |
Plain-English summary
Language of Government Act of 1995 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that the Government has an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language. Requires the Government to conduct its official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English.
What's happening now
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Committees of jurisdiction
3