# 119-hr-1772: Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025

119-hr-1772, Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] (R-AL); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1772
- As of: 2026-08-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-1772
- Congress: 119
- Title: Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-03-03
- Sponsor: Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] (R-AL)
- Cosponsors: 21
- Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-01

## Summary

**Designates English as the official language of the United States.** This bill would set a uniform English-language framework for federal conduct and naturalization while carving out narrow exceptions for other-language use. - Immigrants and naturalization applicants: The bill would require naturalization ceremonies to be conducted in English and direct the Department of Homeland Security to propose a uniform English test within 180 days. The standard would be grounded in the ability to read the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and laws made under the Constitution. - Federal agencies and officials: The bill would require official government functions to be conducted in English and impose an affirmative obligation on federal officials to preserve and promote English. It lists seven specific exceptions, including language teaching, protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, national security, public health, the Census, victims' and defendants' rights, and technical terms of art. - Individuals and courts: The bill would add rules of construction that favor English-language texts when laws are ambiguous and state that ambiguities must not deny rights or state powers. It would also create a private right of action allowing someone harmed by a violation to sue for relief.

## Cosponsors (21)

- Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5] (R-SC), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1] (R-TN), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6] (R-MO), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8] (R-AZ), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9] (R-AZ), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5] (R-AL), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1] (R-AL), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3] (R-AL), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6] (R-AL), 2025-03-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15] (R-IL), 2025-03-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2] (R-FL), 2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3] (R-GA), 2025-06-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3] (R-NE), 2025-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17] (R-FL), 2025-07-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7] (R-GA), 2025-08-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11] (R-GA), 2025-09-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26] (R-TX), 2026-02-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14] (R-GA), 2026-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10] (R-GA), 2026-06-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12] (R-GA), 2026-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9] (R-GA), 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Federal push to promote English: benefit, low. If enacted, federal officials would have to preserve and promote English. They would encourage more chances for people to learn English. The bill does not set funding or specific programs. The rule would start 180 days after enactment.
- English required for federal work: cost, medium. If enacted, the federal government would have to use English for official work. This would cover laws, hearings, regulations, publications, orders, programs, and policies. There would be seven exceptions: language teaching; special education (IDEA); national security, foreign affairs, trade, touris…
- Tougher English test for citizenship: cost, medium. If enacted, the Department of Homeland Security would have to propose one English test within 180 days. The test would check if applicants can read and generally understand the Declaration, the Constitution, and U.S. laws in English. Exceptions would be rare, such as asylum cases. All naturalizatio…
- New right to sue over language: mixed, medium. If enacted, people injured by a violation of the official-language rules could sue. They could bring civil actions, including under federal court procedures in title 28, chapter 151. What relief they get would depend on court decisions. This right would begin 180 days after enactment.
- Employers could require English at work: mixed, medium. If enacted, courts would presume English-language workplace rules are lawful. Public and private employers could more easily require English on the job. If a law’s English text is unclear, courts would resolve it to avoid denying people’s rights and to respect state powers. The rule would start 180…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-8800: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-hr-38: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025
- 119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act
- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-722: Life at Conception Act
- 119-hr-703: Main Street Tax Certainty Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-1772 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1772)

## Related
- [119-hr-8800: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8800)
- [119-hr-38: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-38)
- [119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-425)
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [119-hr-722: Life at Conception Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-722)
- [119-hr-703: Main Street Tax Certainty Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-703)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1772 (as of 2026-08-01).