Senate Backs English as Official US Language

The U.S. Senate yesterday approved two alternative amendments to the Immigration Reform Act (S. 2611), recognizing English as the official language of the United States.

The first amendment, offered by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), declares that there is no automatic right to receive services on languages other than English, except when required by federal law, and that English language proficiency will be retained as a requirement for naturalization. Sen. Inhofe’s amendment was approved by a vote of 63-34.

The Senate later voted 58-39 to adopt a milder alternative amendment offered by Sen. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado), which simply declares English to be “the common and unifying language of the United States that helps provide unity for the people of the United States.”

Depending on later negotiations with the House of Representatives, one or neither of the “official English” amendments will end up in the final Immigration Reform bill to be considered later this year.

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