Jun 07 2007

Senate Immigration Bill Declares English the National Language of the United States

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) voted in support of the Inhofe Amendment which declares English the national language of the United States .  The amendment, introduced by Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) was accepted by a vote of 64-33 and is now part of the Senate immigration bill.

“The Inhofe amendment, like many others which have been adopted by the Senate, is moving the immigration bill in the right direction,” said Graham.  “English is the language that unites us as a people and I’m proud to vote for passage of this important amendment.” 

The Inhofe Amendment states that no person has a “right, entitlement or claim to have the Government of the United States or any of its officials or representatives act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English….”

It also makes clear that the U.S. government and federal agencies should “preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language of the United States of America ." 

The Heritage Foundation has called the amendment “both sensible and necessary.”  English First said the amendment “is essential toward moving the Senate immigration bill toward the idea of assimilation.”    

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