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S. 254: Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act

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S. 254: Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act

115th Congress · introduced 2017-02-01 · Native Americans · Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-02-01 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act

Plain summary

Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to revise a grant program administered by the Administration for Native Americans at the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages. The minimum number of enrollees in educational programs funded by grants is reduced from 10 to 5 enrollees in Native American language nests and from 15 to 10 enrollees in the Native American language survival schools. The bill increases the maximum duration of grants. (Sec. 3) The program is reauthorized through FY2023.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended), 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

Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] · 7 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 254, Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (2017-03-07)

Cosponsors on this site

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

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)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-s254 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115