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HR 280 107th Congress House

National Language Act of 2001

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

Introduced: November 27, 2001 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics AllegianceBilingual educationBilingual election requirementsCitizenship
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesDepartment of EducationDiscriminationEconomics and Public FinanceEducationElementary and secondary educationEnglish languageExecutive reorganizationFederal aid to educationFederal preemptionGovernment publicationsImmigrationIncome taxLocal lawsLoyalty oaths
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This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) 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 15, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
Feb 12, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Jan 30, 2001
Introduced in House
Jan 30, 2001
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.
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 Latest action March 15, 2001

Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
National Language Act of 2001 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. Government. Requires the Government to conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials.

Provides that this Act shall not apply to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, to programs in schools designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages, or by persons over age 62.

Repeals the Bilingual Education Act. Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education.

Repeals provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding bilingual election requirements and regarding congressional findings of voting discrimination against language minorities, prohibition of English-only elections, and other remedial measures.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that all public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to such Act be conducted solely in English.

Specifies that this Act shall not preempt the law of any State.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Republican 6
R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Oct 1, 2002
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Apr 9, 2002
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Jan 24, 2002
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Nov 27, 2001
 R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · May 15, 2001
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · May 2, 2001
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 280: National Language Act of 2001. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-280/
MLA
"H.R. 280: National Language Act of 2001." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-280/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 280, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-280/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 280: National Language Act of 2001](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-280/)
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