National Language Act of 2009

Key: what the circles and colors mean

Each circle is a bill. The ring fills as it moves through Congress:

IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

Under the number: the Yea · Nay count of its final (or latest) recorded vote. On a member's page, the small badge is how that member voted: Y Yea / Aye, N Nay / No, P Present, – Not voting.

Gold and violet are only for Yea and Nay; they never mean a party. A member's party is the letter on their photo.

Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 111th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

R InhofeSponsor

14 cosponsors · 14 R

14 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

National Language Act of 2009 - Requires: (1) English to be the national language of the federal government; and (2) the federal government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · May 6, 2009

Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the federal government act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English, unless specifically provided by statute.

Makes the English language version of a government form issued in a language other than English the sole authority for legal purposes.

Declares that this Act does not prohibit the use of a language other than English.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: National Language Act of 2009

Latest action (May 6, 2009): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5241)

Policy area: Government Operations and Politics · Origin: Senate · Introduced: May 6, 2009

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.