U.S. English Chairman Applauds Bill to End Bilingual Ballots, Make English the Official Language of the USA

U.S. English Chairman Applauds Bill to End Bilingual Ballots, Make English the Official Language of the USA

Washington, DC—U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica today released the following statement in response to the introduction of a new bill to declare English the official language of the United States.

Introduced by Texas Rep. Steve Stockman, H.R. 5473 would also repeal Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which calls for bilingual ballots. Additionally, it amends Section 337 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure that all naturalization ceremonies are conducted in English, rather than foreign languages.

“Rep. Stockman’s bill proposes common sense changes that will help encourage immigrants to fully assimilate, while saving the federal government millions of dollars,” Chairman Mujica said. “Performing naturalization ceremonies and providing voting ballots in languages other than English are duplicative and unnecessary. In order to become a naturalized citizen, an immigrant to the United States is already required to pass a test demonstrating English proficiency. By using English, rather than a native language, a newcomer to the United States is able to fully integrate into American culture. As an immigrant myself, I have experienced firsthand how speaking the nation’s common language fluently can make one feel fully American, and I am hopeful that the House of Representatives will support the positive intentions of this unifying legislation.”

“Most immigrants want to learn English,” Rep. Stockman added. “Conducting all official government business in English, while leaving people free to conduct private business however they wish, ensures we stay a united and strong country.”

H.R. 5473 has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, as well as the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, for further consideration.

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