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HR 123 105th Congress House

Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997

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

Introduced: February 12, 1998 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics CitizenshipCongressCongressional mailEnglish language
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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
Jan 31, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Jan 7, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Jan 7, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E36)
Jan 7, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 31, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the U.S. Government. States that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English.

Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. Directs that nothing in this Act construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages.

Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 18
All 18 Republican 6
R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Feb 12, 1998
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Feb 12, 1998
MCINNIS, SCOTT
· Oct 24, 1997
QUINN, JACK
· Oct 24, 1997
STENHOLM, CHARLES
· Oct 24, 1997
Sanford, Mark
· Oct 6, 1997
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Jun 18, 1997
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Jun 18, 1997
CRANE, PHILIP
· Feb 4, 1997
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Feb 4, 1997
 R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · Jan 20, 1997
BALLENGER, CASS
· Jan 7, 1997
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· Jan 7, 1997
Burr, Richard
· Jan 7, 1997
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Jan 7, 1997
COLLINS, MAC
· Jan 7, 1997
DUNN, JENNIFER
· Jan 7, 1997
NETHERCUTT, GEORGE
· Jan 7, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 123: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-123/
MLA
"H.R. 123: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-123/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 123, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-123/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 123: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-123/)
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