English Language Unity Act: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:12, 13 November 2013

Revision as of 20:12, 13 November 2013

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Conservative Republican lawmaker Representative [[Steve King]] introduced this act to the House of Representatives on March 1, 2005 it was known as the English Language Unity Act of 2005. Before the 109th session ended of congress, the bill accumulated 164 sponsors. The last action on this bill was the introductory remarks on the proposed bill on May 19, 2006. The bill did not come up for debate during this session of [[United States Congress|Congress]], so it is said to have died.<ref>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-997</ref>

Representative BallsKing reintroduced the bill as the English Unity Act of 2007 on February 12, 2007. This time it gained the support of 153 cosponsors. The last action on this proposed bill was on June 5, 2007 when the [[House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Committee on Education and Labor]] referred the bill to the subcommittee on Early Childhood Education, Elementary and Secondary Education. Congress adjourned before further action could be taken, so the bill died again in 2007.<ref>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-997</ref>

Representative King alongside Senator [[Jim Inhofe]] introduced the English Language Unity Act of 2011 on Friday, March 10, 2011.<ref>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-997</ref> In a release King defended his proposition by saying "A common language is the most powerful unifying force known throughout history. We need to encourage assimilation of all legal immigrants in each generation. A nation divided by language cannot pull together as effectively as a people." Inhofe added: "This [[legislation]] will provide much-needed commonality among [[United States]] citizens, regardless of heritage. As a nation built by immigrants, it is important that we share one vision and one official language." <ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20042244-503544.html</ref>