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HR 997 108th Congress House

English Language Unity Act of 2003

Official title: To declare English as the official language of the United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to avoid mis-constructio… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To declare English as the official language of the United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to avoid mis-constructions of the English language texts of the laws of the United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to provide for the general welfare of the United States and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.

Introduced: June 16, 2003 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedureCitizenshipCivics educationCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
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Civil actions and liabilityCongressDeclaration of IndependenceDepartment of JusticeEducationEducational testsEnglish languageEvidence (Law)Federal employeesGovernment paperworkGovernment publicationsGovernment regulationHistoryImmigrantsImmigration
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) 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
May 5, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Mar 24, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
Mar 13, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E464-466)
Feb 27, 2003
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.
Feb 27, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 5, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
English Language Unity Act of 2003 - Amends specified Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the United States.

Gives representatives of the Federal Government an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government, including encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.

Requires the official functions of the United States (meaning, in this case, the States and the District of Columbia) to be conducted in English. Sets forth exceptions to and rules of construction for such requirements.

Requires a uniform English language rule for U.S. naturalization, and all naturalization ceremonies to be conducted in English.

Amends specified Federal law to declare, as a general rule of construction, that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the Laws of the United States.

Requires the Department of Justice to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of candidates for naturalization, based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 23
All 23 Republican 10
R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Oct 30, 2003
Burns, Max
· Oct 30, 2003
CRANE, PHILIP
· Oct 16, 2003
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Oct 16, 2003
QUINN, JACK
· Sep 25, 2003
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Sep 3, 2003
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Jul 14, 2003
DeMint, James
· Jun 24, 2003
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Jun 16, 2003
Isakson, Johnny
· Jun 16, 2003
BALLENGER, CASS
· Jun 12, 2003
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· Jun 12, 2003
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Jun 12, 2003
Burr, Richard
· Jun 12, 2003
COLLINS, MAC
· Jun 12, 2003
HOEKSTRA, PETER
· May 15, 2003
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · May 6, 2003
BOEHNER, JOHN
· May 1, 2003
SCHROCK, EDWARD
· Apr 9, 2003
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Apr 7, 2003
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Mar 25, 2003
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Mar 6, 2003
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Mar 6, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-997/
MLA
"H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-997/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 997, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-997/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-997/)
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