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HR 997 110th Congress House

English Language Unity Act of 2007

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 misconstruction… 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 misconstructions 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: February 12, 2007 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 Homeland SecurityEducationEducational testsEnglish languageEvidence (Law)Federal employeesGovernment paperworkGovernment publicationsGovernment regulationHistoryImmigrantsImmigration
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This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) 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
Jun 5, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Mar 1, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Feb 12, 2007
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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 12, 2007
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 5, 2007

Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

English Language Unity Act of 2007 - Amends federal to declare English to be the official language of the United States.

Requires: (1) official functions of the United States (meaning in this case the states and the District of Columbia) to be conducted in English; and (2) a uniform English language rule for U.S. naturalization, and all naturalization ceremonies to be conducted in English. Sets forth exceptions to and rules of construction for such requirements.

Declares 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 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 29
All 29 Republican 26
R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Oct 3, 2008
 R
Scalise, Steve
Louisiana · Jul 9, 2008
McCarthy, Kevin
· Apr 9, 2008
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Feb 14, 2008
 R
Buchanan, Vern
Florida · Jan 15, 2008
Davis, David
· Nov 7, 2007
 R
Jordan, Jim
Ohio · Oct 30, 2007
 R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Oct 22, 2007
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Sep 27, 2007
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Jul 25, 2007
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Jul 18, 2007
 R
Moran, Jerry
Kansas · Apr 25, 2007
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Apr 17, 2007
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Apr 17, 2007
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Mar 28, 2007
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Mar 26, 2007
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Mar 20, 2007
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Mar 20, 2007
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 13, 2007
 R
Smith, Adrian
Nebraska · Mar 13, 2007
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Mar 1, 2007
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Mar 1, 2007
 R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Mar 1, 2007
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Feb 16, 2007
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Feb 12, 2007
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Feb 12, 2007
 R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · Feb 12, 2007
Sali, Bill
· Feb 12, 2007
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Feb 12, 2007
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2007. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-997/
MLA
"H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2007." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-997/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 997, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-997/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2007](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-997/)
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