S.Amdt. 2833

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Moreno, aims to establish English as the official language of the United States. It proposes adding new sections to the United States Code to mandate that official government functions be conducted in English.

The amendment adds the following requirements and changes:

• Government Obligations: Federal representatives must preserve and enhance the role of English and encourage people to learn the language.

• Official Functions: English must be used for functions that bind the government, are required by law, or are subject to public or press scrutiny. This applies to laws, regulations, publications, and policies.

• Exceptions: The English requirement does not apply to things like national security, international relations, trade, tourism, commerce, public health and safety, census activities, the rights of criminal defendants or victims, language teaching, certain disability education requirements, or the use of phrases from other languages.

• Naturalization: Naturalization ceremonies must be in English. The Secretary of Homeland Security must create a uniform English testing standard for candidates based on the ability to read and understand the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and U.S. laws.

• Protections: The amendment does not prohibit unofficial communication in other languages, limit the use of Native American or Native Alaskan languages, or discourage people from learning other languages.

• Legal Standing: People injured by a violation of these rules can seek relief through a civil action.

• Legal Construction: It states that English language requirements in the workplace are presumed to be consistent with U.S. laws and provides rules for resolving ambiguities in the English text of laws to protect the rights of the people and the powers of the States.