HR1772-119

What This Bill Does

The Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act adds an official-language chapter to title 4 and construction rules to title 1. It declares English the official language of the United States and requires federal representatives to preserve and enhance English's role, including by encouraging opportunities to learn English. Official federal functions must be conducted in English, covering laws, public proceedings, regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and policies. Exceptions preserve language teaching, IDEA requirements, national security, international relations, trade, tourism, commerce, public health and safety, census work, crime victims' and defendants' rights, and terms of art. The bill protects unofficial multilingual communications, Native Alaskan and Native American languages, and constitutional consistency. It creates civil standing for injured persons, makes English-language workplace requirements presumptively consistent with federal law, directs ambiguities in English law texts to be resolved under Ninth and Tenth Amendment principles, and requires DHS within 180 days to propose uniform naturalization English testing rules.

Who Benefits and How

English-only policy advocates benefit because federal law would declare English the official language and require official functions in English. States with official-English policies benefit from federal language affirmance and construction rules. Naturalization test administrators benefit from a DHS rulemaking mandate for uniform English-language testing principles. Native language communities benefit from express language preserving Native Alaskan and Native American language use.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federal agencies must conduct official functions in English unless an exception applies. Limited-English-proficient residents may face reduced access if agencies narrow non-English official communications. Department of Homeland Security staff must issue proposed naturalization English testing regulations within 180 days. Civil rights attorneys must litigate how standing, exceptions, and language-access obligations interact.

Key Provisions

• Provides English as the official language of the United States.
• Requires official federal functions to be conducted in English with listed exceptions.
• Protects unofficial multilingual communications and Native Alaskan and Native American language use.
• Creates civil standing for persons injured by violations.
• Directs DHS to propose uniform naturalization English testing regulations within 180 days.