PRIA Logo™
119-hr-1862119th Congress

English Language Unity Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would declare English the official language of the United States and require federal government functions and naturalization proceedings to be conducted in English. It also creates a uniform English reading requirement for naturalization while listing exceptions for teaching, national security, public health, the census, victims' rights, and Native Alaskan and Native American languages.

Show full summary
  • Immigrants and naturalization applicants: Applicants would have to read and generally understand the English text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and U.S. laws. All naturalization ceremonies would be conducted in English.
  • Federal agencies and officials: Federal representatives would have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance English and to conduct official functions in English, with specified practical effects on laws, regulations, publications, and programs.
  • Native communities and services: The bill expressly preserves the use and preservation of Native Alaskan and Native American languages and allows exceptions for language use in education and other listed areas.
  • Legal text and administration: It directs interpretive guidance for English-language statutory texts and inserts a new "Chapter 6. Official Language" into Title 4 of the U.S. Code.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New uniform English test for citizenship

If enacted, DHS would have 180 days to propose a single English test for citizenship. The standard would be based on reading and generally understanding the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and U.S. laws. All naturalization ceremonies would be conducted in English. If you are applying for naturalization, this could delay or block your case if you do not meet the standard.

Make English official for federal work

This bill would declare English the official language of the United States. Official federal work would be done in English, including laws, hearings, rules, and program communications. It would allow exceptions for language teaching, disability law needs, national security and foreign affairs, public health and safety, Census work, crime victims and defendants, and terms of art. It would not limit Native American or Alaska Native languages, and officials could still speak other languages informally while doing their jobs in English. Most changes would take effect 180 days after enactment and would guide agency language policies.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14]

GA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation