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S. 356 104th Congress Senate

Language of Government Act of 1995

Official title: A bill to amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the official language of the Government of the United States.

Introduced: February 15, 1995 See on congress.gov
Arts, Culture, Religion Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesDiscriminationEnglish languageGovernment Operations and Politics
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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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 7, 1996
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.
Dec 6, 1995
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.
Feb 3, 1995
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Feb 3, 1995
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action March 7, 1996

Committee on Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 123 Identical bill Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1996
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Grassley, Chuck
Iowa · Feb 15, 1995
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 356: Language of Government Act of 1995. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-356/
MLA
"S. 356: Language of Government Act of 1995." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-356/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 356, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-356/.
Markdown link
[S. 356: Language of Government Act of 1995](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-S-356/)
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