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HR 50 106th Congress House

Declaration of Official Language 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 23, 1999 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics BallotsBilingual educationBilingual election requirementsCitizenship
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Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityDiscriminationEducationElementary and secondary educationEnglish languageFederal preemptionGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityImmigrationLawLegal feesMinoritiesNaturalizationParties to actions
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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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 25, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Jan 22, 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
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E5-6)
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

Declaration of Official Language Act of 1999 - 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 this Act 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 voting requirements.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Mar 23, 1999
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 50: Declaration of Official Language Act of 1999. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-50/
MLA
"H.R. 50: Declaration of Official Language Act of 1999." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-50/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 50, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-50/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 50: Declaration of Official Language Act of 1999](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-50/)
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