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English Language Unity Act of 2015

Introduced: February 13, 2015 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 16, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Feb 13, 2015
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 13, 2015
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

English Language Unity Act of 2015

Establishes English as the official language of the United States.

Requires naturalization ceremonies and official functions of the U.S. government, subject to exceptions, to be conducted in English.

Declares that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of U.S. laws.

Allows a person injured by a violation of this Act to obtain relief, including a declaratory judgment, in a civil action.

Declares that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with U.S. laws. Requires any ambiguity in U.S. laws to be resolved in accordance with the rights retained by the people and the powers reserved to states under the Bill of Rights.

Directs the Department of Homeland Security to issue 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 March 16, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 678 Related bill English Language Unity Act of 2015
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 43
All 43 Republican 33
R
Carter, Earl L. "Buddy"
Georgia · Jul 12, 2016
 R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · Jul 6, 2016
Abraham, Ralph
· Jun 16, 2016
 R
Grothman, Glenn
Wisconsin · Jun 16, 2016
Bishop, Mike
· Jun 15, 2016
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Jun 15, 2016
Pittenger, Robert
· Jun 15, 2016
 R
Scalise, Steve
Louisiana · Jun 14, 2016
 R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · Jun 7, 2016
 R
Kelly, Trent
Mississippi · Mar 1, 2016
TIBERI, PATRICK
· Feb 2, 2016
 R
Hudson, Richard
North Carolina · Jan 13, 2016
Brat, Dave
· Jan 5, 2016
Murphy, Tim
· Jan 5, 2016
 R
Scott, Austin
Georgia · Dec 11, 2015
 R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Nov 16, 2015
 R
Loudermilk, Barry
Georgia · Nov 16, 2015
 R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Oct 20, 2015
 R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Oct 20, 2015
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Sep 30, 2015
Shuster, Bill
· Sep 9, 2015
 R
Perry, Scott
Pennsylvania · Jul 28, 2015
 R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Jul 8, 2015
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Jun 4, 2015
 R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · May 22, 2015
 R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · May 22, 2015
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · May 13, 2015
Collins, Doug
· May 13, 2015
Rothfus, Keith
· May 1, 2015
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Apr 23, 2015
 R
Babin, Brian
Texas · Apr 21, 2015
 R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Apr 21, 2015
 R
Allen, Rick W.
Georgia · Apr 13, 2015
 R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Apr 13, 2015
 R
Zinke, Ryan K.
Montana · Apr 13, 2015
 R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Mar 10, 2015
 R
Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck"
Tennessee · Feb 27, 2015
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Feb 26, 2015
 R
Joyce, David P.
Ohio · Feb 24, 2015
 R
Massie, Thomas
Kentucky · Feb 24, 2015
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · Feb 24, 2015
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Feb 24, 2015
ROHRABACHER, DANA
· Feb 24, 2015
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2015. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-997/
MLA
"H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2015." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-997/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 997, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-997/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-997/)
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