S. 992: National Language Act of 2009
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S. 992: National Language Act of 2009
111th Congress · introduced 2009-05-06 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5241)
federal
Follow this bill, step by step
- Where it came from: introduced 2009-05-06 · official record
- Who proposed it: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] · what a sponsor is
- What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
- Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5241) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
- If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.
Official title
National Language Act of 2009
Plain summary
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. 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.
Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.
What a vote does
A “Yea” vote
If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.
A “Nay” vote
If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.
PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).
What does this mean? (plain words)
Official text
National Language Act of 2009
Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
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The strongest published arguments
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Alternatives
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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes
Officials and money
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] · 14 cosponsors
Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.
Cosponsors on this site
Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), John Thune (R-SD)
No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.
Words on this page, explained (1)
- Statute
- A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.
Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.
Sources
- Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
- Congress.gov
- Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-111s992.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/s>
Record fed-us-cong111-s992 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111