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HR 997 109th Congress House Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedure Citizenship Civics education Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Civil actions and liability Congress Declaration of Independence Department of Homeland Security Education Educational tests English language Evidence (Law) Federal employees Government paperwork Government publications Government regulation History Immigrants Immigration

English Language Unity Act of 2005

Introduced: March 1, 2005 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) 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 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 19, 2006
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2948-2949)
Apr 4, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Mar 24, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
Mar 3, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E355)
Mar 1, 2005
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.
Mar 1, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

English Language Unity Act of 2005 - Declares English to be the official language of the United States. Establishes the affirmative obligation of the representatives of the Federal Government to preserve and enhance the role of the English language as the Government's official language. Requires the official functions of the Government to be conducted in English. Requires: (1) a uniform English language testing standard for U.S. naturalization; and (2) all naturalization ceremonies to be conducted in English. Sets forth exceptions to, and rules of construction for, such requirements.

Authorizes persons injured by violations of this Act to obtain appropriate relief in civil actions.

Declares, 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 Secretary of Homeland Security to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of the 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.

What's happening now May 19, 2006

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2948-2949)

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 4408 Related bill National Language Act of 2005
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 19
All 19 Republican 18
R
Carter, John R.
Texas · May 24, 2006
 R
Moran, Jerry
Kansas · May 19, 2006
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · May 10, 2006
Rodgers, Cathy
· Jun 17, 2005
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · May 12, 2005
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Apr 28, 2005
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Apr 26, 2005
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Apr 5, 2005
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Mar 15, 2005
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Mar 9, 2005
 R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · Mar 8, 2005
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Mar 1, 2005
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 1, 2005
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Mar 1, 2005
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Mar 1, 2005
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Mar 1, 2005
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Mar 1, 2005
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Mar 1, 2005
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Mar 1, 2005
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/
MLA
"H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 997, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/)
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