National Language Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-931
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]
Introduced: 2003-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Allegiance
Bilingualism
Citizenship
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Department of Education
Discrimination
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
English language
Entitlements
Executive reorganization
Federal aid to education
Federal preemption
Government publications
Immigration
Income tax
Local laws
Loyalty oaths
Minorities
Naturalization
Social Welfare
State laws
Tax returns
Taxation
Translating and interpreting
Voting
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: National Language Act of 2003 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. Government. Requires the Government to: (1) conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials; and (2) preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States of America. Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the Government act, communicate, perform, or provide services or materials in any other language, unless specifically stated in applicable law.
Provides that this Act shall not apply to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, in school programs designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages, or by persons over age 62.
Repeals the Bilingual Education Act. Terminates the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs in the Department of Education.
Repeals provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding bilingual election requirements and regarding congressional findings of voting discrimination against language minorities, prohibition of English-only elections, and other remedial measures.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that all public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to such Act be conducted solely in English.
Specifies that this Act shall not preempt the law of any State.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: 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.
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-02-26
text: Introduced in House