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HR 997 112th Congress House

English Language Unity Act of 2011

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: March 31, 2011 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 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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
Aug 2, 2012
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 21, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Mar 10, 2011
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 10, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action August 2, 2012

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

English Language Unity Act of 2011- 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 503 Identical bill English Language Unity Act of 2011
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 76
All 76 Republican 25
MICA, JOHN
· Jul 31, 2012
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Jul 23, 2012
Shuster, Bill
· Jul 13, 2012
Murphy, Tim
· Jul 9, 2012
Bishop, Rob
· Jun 27, 2012
Labrador, Raul
· Jun 5, 2012
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · May 30, 2012
 R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · Apr 19, 2012
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Mar 21, 2012
Poe, Ted
· Feb 7, 2012
PENCE, MIKE
· Dec 2, 2011
UPTON, FRED
· Oct 5, 2011
Meehan, Patrick
· Sep 21, 2011
Marchant, Kenny
· Sep 12, 2011
Alexander, Rodney
· Sep 7, 2011
ROYCE, ED
· Aug 1, 2011
Schmidt, Jean
· Jul 22, 2011
Harper, Gregg
· Jul 12, 2011
Price, Tom
· Jul 12, 2011
AKIN, W.
· Jun 13, 2011
MCKEON, HOWARD
· Jun 13, 2011
Barletta, Lou
· May 12, 2011
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · May 12, 2011
PLATTS, TODD
· May 12, 2011
BILBRAY, BRIAN
· May 4, 2011
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · May 4, 2011
CAMP, DAVE
· May 4, 2011
 R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · May 4, 2011
Herrera Beutler, Jaime
· May 4, 2011
MANZULLO, DONALD
· May 4, 2011
 R
Scott, Tim
South Carolina · May 4, 2011
STEARNS, CLIFF
· May 4, 2011
 R
Womack, Steve
Arkansas · May 4, 2011
Hunter, Duncan
· Apr 8, 2011
Altmire, Jason
· Mar 31, 2011
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Mar 31, 2011
Jenkins, Lynn
· Mar 31, 2011
BARTLETT, ROSCOE
· Mar 10, 2011
BARTON, JOE
· Mar 10, 2011
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Mar 10, 2011
 R
Buchanan, Vern
Florida · Mar 10, 2011
BURTON, DAN
· Mar 10, 2011
Campbell, John
· Mar 10, 2011
Coffman, Mike
· Mar 10, 2011
Davis, Geoff
· Mar 10, 2011
DREIER, DAVID
· Mar 10, 2011
DUNCAN, JOHN
· Mar 10, 2011
EMERSON, JO
· Mar 10, 2011
 R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · Mar 10, 2011
Franks, Trent
· Mar 10, 2011
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2011. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-997/
MLA
"H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2011." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-997/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 997, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-997/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2011](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-997/)
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