text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``English Language Empowerment Act of 
  1996''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      The Congress finds and declares the following:
              (1) The United States is comprised of individuals and 
          groups from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic 
          backgrounds.
              (2) The United States has benefited and continues to 
          benefit from this rich diversity.
              (3) Throughout the history of the United States, the common 
          thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been a 
          common language.
              (4) In order to preserve unity in diversity, and to prevent 
          division along linguistic lines, the Federal Government should 
          maintain a language common to all people.
              (5) English has historically been the common language and 
          the language of opportunity in the United States.
              (6) The purpose of this Act is to help immigrants better 
          assimilate and take full advantage of economic and occupational 
          opportunities in the United States.
              (7) By learning the English language, immigrants will be 
          empowered with the language skills and literacy necessary to 
          become responsible citizens and productive workers in the 
          United States.
              (8) The use of a single common language in conducting 
          official business of the Federal Government will promote 
          efficiency and fairness to all people.
              (9) English should be recognized in law as the language of 
          official business of the Federal Government.
              (10) Any monetary savings derived from the enactment of 
          this Act should be used for the teaching of non-English 
          speaking immigrants the English language.
  
  SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
  
      (a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding 
  at the end the following new chapter:
  
              ``CHAPTER 6--LANGUAGE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
  
  ``Sec.
  ``161. Declaration of official language of Federal Government.
  ``162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.
  ``163. Official Federal Government activities in English.
  ``164. Standing.
  ``165. Reform of naturalization requirements.
  ``166. Rule of construction.
  ``167. Definitions.
  ``Sec. 161. Declaration of official language of Federal Government
      ``The official language of the Federal Government is English.
  ``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
      ``The Federal Government shall have an affirmative obligation to 
  preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of 
  the Federal Government. Such obligation shall include encouraging 
  greater opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.
  ``Sec. 163. Official Federal Government activities in English
      ``(a) Conduct of Business.--The Federal Government shall conduct 
  its official business in English.
      ``(b) Denial of Services.--No person shall be denied services, 
  assistance, or facilities, directly or indirectly provided by the 
  Federal Government solely because the person communicates in English.
      ``(c) Entitlement.--Every person in the United States is entitled--
              ``(1) to communicate with the Federal Government in 
          English;
              ``(2) to receive information from or contribute information 
          to the Federal Government in English; and
              ``(3) to be informed of or be subject to official orders in 
          English.
  ``Sec. 164. Standing
      ``A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil 
  action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 28) obtain 
  appropriate relief.
  ``Sec. 165. Reform of naturalization requirements
      ``(a) Fluency.--It has been the longstanding national belief that 
  full citizenship in the United States requires fluency in English. 
  English is the language of opportunity for all immigrants to take their 
  rightful place in society in the United States.
      ``(b) Ceremonies.--All authorized officials shall conduct all 
  naturalization ceremonies entirely in English.
  ``Sec. 166. Rule of construction
      ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--
              ``(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress, an employee or 
          official of the Federal Government, while performing official 
          business, from communicating orally in a foreign language with 
          another person.
              ``(2) to discriminate against or restrict the rights of any 
          individual in the country;
              ``(3) to discourage or prevent the use of languages other 
          than English in any nonofficial capacity; and
              ``(4) except where an existing Federal law directly 
          contravenes the amendments made by such section (such as by 
          requiring the use of a language other than English for official 
          business of the Federal Government), to repeal existing Federal 
          laws.
  ``Sec. 167. Definitions
      ``For purposes of this chapter:
              ``(1) Federal Government.--The term `Federal Government' 
          means all branches of the Federal Government and all employees 
          and officials of the Federal Government while performing 
          official business.
              ``(2) Official business.--The term `official business' 
          means governmental actions, documents, or policies which are 
          enforceable with the full weight and authority of the Federal 
          Government, and includes publications, income tax forms, 
          informational materials, and the contents of franked mail (as 
          described in section 3210 of title 39, United States Code), but 
          does not include--
                      ``(A) teaching of foreign languages;
                      ``(B) actions, documents, or policies necessary for 
                  international relations, trade, or commerce;
                      ``(C) actions or documents that protect the public 
                  health and safety;
                      ``(D) actions, documents, or policies that are not 
                  enforceable in the United States;
                      ``(E) actions that protect the rights of victims of 
                  crimes or criminal defendants; or
                      ``(F) documents that utilize terms of art or 
                  phrases from languages other than English.''.
      (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 4, 
  United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
  item:
  
  ``6. Language of the Federal Government.....................     161''.
  
  SEC. 4. PREEMPTION.
  
      This Act (and the amendments made by this Act) shall not preempt 
  any law of any State.
  
  SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
  
      The amendments made by section 3 shall take effect upon the date of 
  enactment of this Act, except that no suit may be commenced to enforce 
  or determine rights under chapter 6 of title 4, United States Code, 
  until the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
  Act.
target: English Language Empowerment Act of 1996 - Declares English to be the official language of the U.S. Government.  States that the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Requires the Federal Government  to conduct its official business in English.  Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English. 
  Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. 
  Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act.
feat_title: English Language Empowerment Act of 1996