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HR 123 106th Congress House

Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1999

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

Introduced: March 25, 1999 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics CitizenshipCivil actions and liabilityCongressCongressional mail
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English languageFederal preemptionFederal-Indian relationsGovernment paperworkGovernment publicationsImmigrantsImmigrationIncome taxLanguage and languagesLawMinoritiesNaturalizationParties to actionsStandardsState laws
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This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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
Feb 25, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Feb 5, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Jan 6, 1999
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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.
Jan 6, 1999
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 25, 1999

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1999 - 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. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 15
All 15 Republican 6
DeMint, James
· Oct 28, 1999
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Jun 23, 1999
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Jun 23, 1999
NETHERCUTT, GEORGE
· Apr 27, 1999
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Mar 25, 1999
BALLENGER, CASS
· Mar 25, 1999
Burr, Richard
· Mar 25, 1999
COLLINS, MAC
· Mar 25, 1999
CRANE, PHILIP
· Mar 25, 1999
 R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · Mar 25, 1999
Isakson, Johnny
· Mar 25, 1999
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Mar 25, 1999
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Mar 25, 1999
Sanford, Mark
· Mar 25, 1999
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Mar 25, 1999
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 123: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1999. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-123/
MLA
"H.R. 123: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1999." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-123/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 123, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-123/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 123: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1999](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-123/)
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