,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #fgh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #f1 #bjai,mr4 ,inhofe 7for himself and ,mr4 ,rounds7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to declare ,english as the official language of the ,united ,states1 to establish a uniform ,english language rule for naturalization1 and to avoid misconstructions of the ,english language texts of the laws of the ,united ,states1 pursuant to ,congress' powers to provide for the general welfare of the ,united ,states and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization under article ,i1 section #h1 of the ,constitution4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,english ,language ,unity ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds and declares the following3 7#a7 ,the ,united ,states is comprised of individuals from diverse ethnic1 cultural1 and linguistic backgrounds1 and continues to benefit from this rich diversity4 7#b7 ,throughout the history of the ,united ,states1 the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been the ,english language4 7#c7 ,among the powers reserved to the ,states respectively is the power to establish the ,english language as the official language of the respective ,states1 and otherwise to promote the ,english language within the respective ,states1 subject to the prohibitions enumerated in the ,constitution of the ,united ,states and in laws of the respective ,states4 #c4 ,english as official language of the ,united ,states 7a7 ,in general ,title #d1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #f ,official language #afa4 ,official language of the ,united ,states ,the official language of the ,united ,states is ,english4 #afb4 ,preserving and enhancing the role of the official language ,representatives of the ,federal ,government shall have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of ,english as the official language of the ,federal ,government4 ,such obligation shall include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the ,english language4 #afc4 ,official functions of ,government to be conducted in ,english 7a7 ,scope ,for the purposes of this section-- 7#a7 the term official refers to any function that-- 7,a7 binds the ,government2 7,b7 is required by law2 or 7,c7 is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either the press or the public2 and 7#b7 the term ,united ,states means the several ,states and the ,district of ,columbia4 7b7 ,official functions ,the official functions of the ,government of the ,united ,states shall be conducted in ,english4 7c7 ,practical effect ,this section-- 7#a7 shall apply to all laws1 public proceedings1 regulations1 publications1 orders1 actions1 programs1 and policies2 and 7#b7 shall not apply to-- 7,a7 teaching of languages2 7,b7 requirements under the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #adjj et seq472 7,c7 actions1 documents1 or policies necessary for national security1 international relations1 trade1 tourism1 or commerce2 7,d7 actions or documents that protect the public health and safety2 7,e7 actions or documents that facilitate the activities of the ,bureau of the ,census in compiling any census of population2 7,f7 actions that protect the rights of victims of crimes or criminal defendants2 or 7,g7 using terms of art or phrases from languages other than ,english4 #afd4 ,uniform ,english language rule for naturalization 7a7 ,uniform language testing standard ,all citizens of the ,united ,states should be able to read and understand generally the ,english language text of the ,declaration of ,independence1 the ,constitution of the ,united ,states1 and the laws of the ,united ,states made in pursuance of the ,constitution of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,ceremonies ,all naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted in ,english4 #afe4 ,rules of construction ,nothing in this chapter shall be construed-- 7#a7 to prohibit a ,member of ,congress or any officer or agent of the ,federal ,government1 while performing official functions under section #afc1 from communicating unofficially through any medium with another person in a language other than ,english 7as long as official functions are performed in ,english72 7#b7 to limit the preservation or use of ,native ,alaskan or ,native ,american languages 7as defined in the ,native ,american ,languages ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #bija et seq4772 7#c7 to disparage any language or to discourage any person from learning or using a language2 or 7#d7 to be inconsistent with the ,constitution of the ,united ,states4 #aff4 ,standing ,a person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil action 7including an action under chapter #aea of title #bh7 obtain appropriate relief4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of chapters at the beginning of title #d1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter #e the following3 ,chapter #f4 official language 4 #d4 ,general rules of construction for ,english language texts of the laws of the ,united ,states 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #a of title #a1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #i4 ,general rules of construction for laws of the ,united ,states 7a7 ,english language requirements and workplace policies1 whether in the public or private sector1 shall be presumptively consistent with the laws of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,any ambiguity in the ,english language text of the laws of the ,united ,states shall be resolved1 in accordance with the last two articles of the ,bill of ,rights1 not to deny or disparage rights retained by the people1 and to reserve powers to the ,states respectively1 or to the people4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #a of title #a1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #h the following3 #i4 ,general rules of construction for laws of the ,united ,states4 4 #e4 ,implementing regulations ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing ,english language ability of candidates for naturalization1 which shall be based upon the principles that-- 7#a7 all citizens of the ,united ,states should be able to read and understand generally the ,english language text of the ,declaration of ,independence1 the ,constitution of the ,united ,states1 and the laws of the ,united ,states which are made in pursuance thereof2 and 7#b7 any exceptions to the standard described in paragraph 7#a7 should be limited to extraordinary circumstances1 such as asylum4 #f4 ,effective date ,the amendments made by sections #c and #d shall take effect on the date that is #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4