Feds Make English Official: New Bill Requires Government Operations in English, Starting Late 2025

The "Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025" does exactly what it says on the tin: it officially makes English the language of the U.S. Government. Introduced on [Date introduced], this bill aims to have all official government functions conducted in English, from laws to public policies. (SEC. 3)

Speaking the Same Language?

This section gets into the nitty-gritty of what "official functions" actually means. Think anything that legally binds the government or is required by law—basically, the stuff that's up for public debate. (SEC. 3). But, it's not a total English-only zone. The bill carves out exceptions for things like:

• Teaching languages.
• Meeting requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Stuff related to national security, international relations, trade, or public health (SEC. 3).
• The Census.
• Protecting the rights of crime victims or those accused of crimes.
• Using those fancy foreign terms of art. (SEC. 3).

For example, a local Social Security office must conduct official business, like processing a retirement claim, in English (SEC 3.). But, a government employee could chat with a colleague in Spanish during a coffee break without violating this law. (SEC. 3).

Becoming a Citizen: The English Test

For anyone going through naturalization, the bill sets a clear rule: you need to show you can understand the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and U.S. laws—in English. (SEC. 3). Plus, those naturalization ceremonies? They're going all-English, too. (SEC. 3). The Secretary of Homeland Security has 180 days from the bill's enactment to propose a rule for uniform English testing, with very limited exceptions, such as for asylum seekers. (SEC. 5).

The Fine Print

This is where they clarify that the law doesn't mean federal officials can't shoot the breeze in other languages informally. (SEC. 3). It also doesn't mess with Native Alaskan or Native American languages or stop anyone from learning or using different languages. (SEC. 3). And if someone feels this law has stepped on their toes? They can take it to court. (SEC. 3).

Reading the Law, Literally

This section adds a new rule to how U.S. laws are interpreted. It states that English language requirements and workplace policies (both in government and private companies) are presumed to be in line with U.S. law. (SEC. 4). And if there's any confusion in a law written in English, it should be interpreted in a way that protects individual rights and state powers, as laid out in the Bill of Rights. (SEC. 4).

For instance, if a company has an English-only policy in the workplace, this section suggests that policy is likely legal, as long as it doesn't violate other parts of the U.S. Code. (SEC. 4).

The changes in sections 3 and 4 are slated to kick in 180 days after this Act becomes law. (SEC. 6). So, while the bill aims to streamline things with a common language, it also throws in some legal safeguards and exceptions to keep things from getting too restrictive.