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HR 997 111th Congress House

English Language Unity Act of 2009

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 11, 2009 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Academic performance and assessmentsAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCitizenship and naturalizationCivil actions and liability
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Constitution and constitutional amendmentsDepartment of Homeland SecurityForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesState and local government operations
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) 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
Jul 23, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Mar 23, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Feb 11, 2009
Referred to House Judiciary
Feb 11, 2009
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 11, 2009
Referred to House Education and Labor
Feb 11, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 23, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

English Language Unity Act of 2009 - Makes English the official language of the United States.

Requires, subject to exceptions and rules of construction, that: (1) official functions of the United States be conducted in English; and (2) all naturalization ceremonies be conducted in English. Establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization.

Makes English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States.

Directs 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.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 991 Identical bill English Language Unity Act of 2009
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 34
All 34 Republican 27
Griffith, Parker
· May 4, 2010
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Sep 14, 2009
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Jul 21, 2009
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Jun 15, 2009
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Jun 9, 2009
Childers, Travis
· Apr 27, 2009
 R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · Mar 25, 2009
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 16, 2009
McCarthy, Kevin
· Mar 12, 2009
Carney, Christopher
· Mar 3, 2009
 R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Mar 3, 2009
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Mar 2, 2009
 R
Scalise, Steve
Louisiana · Mar 2, 2009
Lee, Christopher
· Feb 25, 2009
 R
Buchanan, Vern
Florida · Feb 24, 2009
 R
Boozman, John
Arkansas · Feb 23, 2009
 R
Jordan, Jim
Ohio · Feb 23, 2009
 R
Moran, Jerry
Kansas · Feb 23, 2009
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Feb 23, 2009
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Feb 11, 2009
Fallin, Mary
· Feb 11, 2009
 R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Feb 11, 2009
INGLIS, BOB
· Feb 11, 2009
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Lummis, Cynthia M.
Wyoming · Feb 11, 2009
 R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Feb 11, 2009
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Smith, Adrian
Nebraska · Feb 11, 2009
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Feb 11, 2009
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-997/
MLA
"H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-997/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 997, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-997/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-997/)
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