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HR 739 104th Congress House Arts, Culture, Religion Ballots Bilingual education Bilingual election requirements Citizenship Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Discrimination Education Elementary and secondary education English language Federal preemption Government Operations and Politics Immigration Law Legal fees Minorities Naturalization Parties to actions Standards State laws

Declaration of Official Language Act of 1995

Introduced: January 30, 1995 See on congress.gov
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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 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 13, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2127)
Jan 30, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H926-927)
Dec 19, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2395-2396)
Nov 20, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H13354-13355)
Oct 31, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H11467)
Oct 20, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1988-1989)
Aug 2, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1598-1599)
Jul 10, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6726-6727)
Feb 10, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Jan 30, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Economic and Educational.
Jan 30, 1995
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Declaration of Official Language Act of 1995 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that English is the preferred language of communication among U.S. citizens. Requires the U.S. Government to promote and support the use of English for communications among U.S. citizens. Requires communications by officers and employees of the U.S. Government with U.S. citizens to be in English.

Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to : (1) enforce the established English language proficiency standard for all applicants for U.S. citizenship; and (2) conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English.

Allows anyone injured by a violation of such provisions to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action. Authorizes the court in any such action to allow a prevailing party, other than the U.S. Government, a reasonable attorney's fee as part of costs.

Repeals the Bilingual Education Act (title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965).

Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to repeal bilingual election ballot requirements.

What's happening now March 13, 1996

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2127)

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Republican 3
R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Jun 29, 1995
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Apr 6, 1995
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Jan 30, 1995
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 739: Declaration of Official Language Act of 1995. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-739/
MLA
"H.R. 739: Declaration of Official Language Act of 1995." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-739/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 739, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-739/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 739: Declaration of Official Language Act of 1995](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-739/)
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