text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``English Language Unity Act of 
  2015''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress finds and declares the following:
              (1) The United States is comprised of individuals from 
          diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and 
          continues to benefit from this rich diversity.
              (2) Throughout the history of the United States, the common 
          thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been 
          the English language.
              (3) Among the powers reserved to the States respectively is 
          the power to establish the English language as the official 
          language of the respective States, and otherwise to promote the 
          English language within the respective States, subject to the 
          prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United 
          States and in laws of the respective States.
  
  SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.
  
      (a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding 
  at the end the following:
  
                       ``CHAPTER 6--OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
  
  ``Sec. 161. Official language of the United States
      ``The official language of the United States is English.
  ``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
      ``Representatives 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. Such obligation shall 
  include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the 
  English language.
  ``Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted in English
      ``(a) Scope.--For the purposes of this section--
              ``(1) the term `official' refers to any function that--
                      ``(A) binds the Government;
                      ``(B) is required by law; or
                      ``(C) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either 
                  the press or the public; and
              ``(2) the term `United States' means the several States and 
          the District of Columbia.
      ``(b) Official Functions.--The official functions of the Government 
  of the United States shall be conducted in English.
      ``(c) Practical Effect.--This section--
              ``(1) shall apply to all laws, public proceedings, 
          regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and 
          policies; and
              ``(2) shall not apply to--
                      ``(A) teaching of languages;
                      ``(B) requirements under the Individuals with 
                  Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
                      ``(C) actions, documents, or policies necessary for 
                  national security, international relations, trade, 
                  tourism, or commerce;
                      ``(D) actions or documents that protect the public 
                  health and safety;
                      ``(E) actions or documents that facilitate the 
                  activities of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any 
                  census of population;
                      ``(F) actions that protect the rights of victims of 
                  crimes or criminal defendants; or
                      ``(G) using terms of art or phrases from languages 
                  other than English.
  ``Sec. 164. Uniform English language rule for naturalization
      ``(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, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of 
  the Constitution.
      ``(b) Ceremonies.--All naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted 
  in English.
  ``Sec. 165. Rules of construction
      ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--
              ``(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or any officer or 
          agent of the Federal Government, while performing official 
          functions under section 163, from communicating unofficially 
          through any medium with another person in a language other than 
          English (as long as official functions are performed in 
          English);
              ``(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or 
          Native American languages (as defined in the Native American 
          Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.));
              ``(3) to disparage any language or to discourage any person 
          from learning or using a language; or
              ``(4) to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the 
          United States.
  ``Sec. 166. 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.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters at the beginning of 
  title 4, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item 
  relating to chapter 5 the following:
  
                     ``Chapter 6. Official Language''.
  
  SEC. 4. GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEXTS OF THE 
                LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
  
      (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is 
  amended by adding at the end the following:
  ``Sec. 9. General rules of construction for laws of the United States
      ``(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.
      ``(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, not to deny or disparage rights 
  retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the States 
  respectively, or to the people.''.
      (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
  chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by inserting after 
  the item relating to section 8 the following:
  
  ``9. General Rules of Construction for Laws of the United States.''.
  
  SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.
  
      Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
  the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue for public notice and 
  comment a proposed rule for uniform testing English language ability of 
  candidates for naturalization, which shall be based upon the principles 
  that--
              (1) 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, and the laws of 
          the United States which are made in pursuance thereof; and
              (2) any exceptions to the standard described in paragraph 
          (1) should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as 
          asylum.
  
  SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
  
      The amendments made by sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on the 
  date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
target: English Language Unity Act of 2015 Establishes English as the official language of the United States.  Requires&nbsp;naturalization ceremonies and official functions of the U.S. government, subject to exceptions, to&nbsp;be conducted in English.  Declares that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of U.S. laws. Allows a person injured by a violation of this Act to obtain relief, including a declaratory judgment, in a civil action.  Declares that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector,&nbsp;shall be presumptively consistent with U.S. laws. Requires any ambiguity in&nbsp;U.S. laws&nbsp;to be resolved in accordance with the rights retained by the people and the powers reserved to states under the Bill of Rights. Directs the Department of Homeland Security to issue a proposed rule for uniform testing of the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum. 
feat_title: English Language Unity Act of 2015