How S 542 changes current law

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes English as the official language of the United States and adds requirements for government functions and naturalization processes to be conducted in English.

• 4 U.S.C.

  "CHAPTER 6--OFFICIAL LANGUAGE\nSec. 161. Official language of the United States\nThe official language of the United States is English."

  This introduces a new chapter declaring English as the official language.

• 4 U.S.C.

  "Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language\nRepresentatives of the Federal Government shall have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government."

  This establishes a government obligation to promote the English language.

• 4 U.S.C.

  "Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted in English\n(a) Scope.--For the purposes of this section--...\n(b) Official Functions.--The official functions of the Government of the United States shall be conducted in English."

  This mandates that official government functions be conducted in English.

• 4 U.S.C.

  "Sec. 164. Uniform English language rule for naturalization\n(a) Uniform Language Testing Standard.--All citizens of the United States should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of the Constitution of the United States."

  This requires that naturalization applicants can read and understand key U.S. documents in English.

• 4 U.S.C.

  "Sec. 164. Ceremonies.--All naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted in English."

  This requires all naturalization ceremonies to be held in English.

• 1 U.S.C.

  "Sec. 9. General rules of construction for laws of the United States\n(a) English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States."

  This adds rules for interpreting laws regarding the English language.

• 1 U.S.C.

  "Sec. 9. (b) Any ambiguity in the English language text of the laws of the United States shall be resolved, in accordance with the last two articles of the Bill of Rights..."

  This mandates how ambiguities in U.S. laws written in English should be resolved.