S.Amdt. 1204

1. Adds CHAPTER 5--ENGLISH LANGUAGE UNITY on page 1300, between lines 11 and 12

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: CHAPTER 5--ENGLISH LANGUAGE UNITY

   Inserted: SEC. 2561. SHORT TITLE.

   Inserted: This chapter may be cited as the "English Language Unity Act of 2013".

   Inserted: SEC. 2562. FINDINGS.

   Inserted: Congress finds and declares the following:

   Inserted: (1) The United States is comprised of individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and continues to benefit from this rich diversity.

   Inserted: (2) Throughout the history of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been the English language.

   Inserted: (3) Among the powers reserved to the States respectively is the power to establish the English language as the official language of the respective States, and otherwise to promote the English language within the respective States, subject to the prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United States and in laws of the respective States.

   Inserted: SEC. 2563. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "CHAPTER 6--OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

   Inserted: "Sec. 161. Official language of the United States "The official language of the United States is English.

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   Inserted: "Sec. 162. 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 Government. Such obligation shall include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.

   Inserted: "Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted in English

   Inserted: "(a) Official Functions.--The official functions of the Government of the United States shall be conducted in English.

   Inserted: "(b) Scope.--For the purposes of this section--

   Inserted: "(1) the term 'United States' means the several States and the District of Columbia; and

   Inserted: "(2) the term 'official' refers to any function that--

   Inserted: "(A) binds the Government;

   Inserted: "(B) is required by law; or

   Inserted: "(C) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either the press or the public.

   Inserted: "(c) Practical Effect.--This section shall apply to all laws, public proceedings, regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and policies, but does not apply to--

   Inserted: "(1) teaching of languages;

   Inserted: "(2) requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;

   Inserted: "(3) actions, documents, or policies necessary for national security, international relations, trade, tourism, or commerce;

   Inserted: "(4) actions or documents that protect the public health and safety;

   Inserted: "(5) actions or documents that facilitate the activities of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any census of population;

   Inserted: "(6) actions that protect the rights of victims of crimes or criminal defendants; or

   Inserted: "(7) using terms of art or phrases from languages other than English.

   Inserted: "Sec. 164. Uniform English language rule for naturalization

   Inserted: "(a) Uniform Language Testing Standard.--All citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of the Constitution.

   Inserted: "(b) Ceremonies.--All naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted in English.

   Inserted: "Sec. 165. Rules of construction "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--

   Inserted: "(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or any officer or agent of the Federal Government, while performing official functions, from communicating unofficially through any medium with another person in a language other than English (as long as official functions are performed in English);

   Inserted: "(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages (as defined in the Native American Languages Act);

   Inserted: "(3) to disparage any language or to discourage any person from learning or using a language; or

   Inserted: "(4) to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States.

   Inserted: "Sec. 166. Standing "A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 28) obtain appropriate relief.".

   Inserted: (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters at the beginning of title 4, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 5 the following new item:

   Inserted: "Chapter 6. Official Language".

   Inserted: SEC. 2564. GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEXTS OF THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "Sec. 8. General rules of construction for laws of the United States

   Inserted: "(a) English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the Laws of the United States.

   Inserted: "(b) Any ambiguity in the English language text of the Laws of the United States shall be resolved, in accordance with the last two articles of the Bill of Rights, not to deny or disparage rights retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the States respectively, or to the people.".

   Inserted: (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of title 1, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7 the following new item:

   Inserted: "8. General Rules of Construction for Laws of the United States.".

   Inserted: SEC. 2565. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.

   Inserted: Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue, for public notice and comment, a proposed rule for uniform testing English language ability of candidates for naturalization, based upon the principles that--

   Inserted: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the laws of the United States which are made pursuant to such documents; and

   Inserted: (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

   Inserted: SEC. 2566. EFFECTIVE DATE.

   Inserted: The amendments made by sections 2563 and 2564 shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

   Original wording

   On page 1300, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:

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As printed