As illegal immigrants overwhelm a southern border that Democratic President Joe Biden refuses to protect, GOP lawmakers in Congress seek to do something to enhance America’s national identity.
Led by U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, nearly two dozen Republicans are pushing the “English Language Unity Act of 2021.”
If enacted, the bill would make English the official language of the United States.
One of those 22 Republicans supporting Gohmert is Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.
In a statement, Gaetz said, “This bill establishes English as the official language of the United States and sets up a framework for implementation and enforcement, including by testing English as part of the naturalization process. I can’t believe English HASN’T been established as the official language. Let’s get this bill to Biden’s desk!”
The bill itself notes that the U.S. is “composed of individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and continues to benefit from this rich diversity.”
Yet, it adds, “Throughout the history of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been the English language.”
Gohmert seeks to make that binding not only on newcomers but on other Americans, especially government bureaucrats and politicians.
“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,” the bill states.
One way to do that is to encourage “greater opportunities for individuals to learn the English language.”
Another is to mandate that official functions of the U.S. government “shall” be conducted in English. The measure defines an official function as one that “binds the Government, is required by law, or is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either the press or the public.”
By that rationale, that would apply to all laws, public proceedings, regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and policies.
There would be exceptions.
For example, using a language other than English would be acceptable for teaching languages, meeting requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and any actions, documents, or policies that are deemed necessary for national security, international relations, trade, tourism, or commerce.
It also would not apply to actions or documents that protect public health and safety, fall under the census, guarantee the rights of crime victims or criminal defendants, or “terms of art or phrases from languages other than English.”
Government officials also would be allowed to speak a language other than English in unofficial settings.
Besides Gaetz, other well-known Republicans who have co-sponsored Gohmert’s bill include Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Florida Republican Rep. Bill Posey is also a co-sponsor.
Democrats undoubtedly will object and refuse to even consider the bill, which means it won’t go anywhere as long as they hold the majority.
But a former Democrat, from San Francisco no less, is responsible for launching the modern “English-only” movement in America 40 years ago.
In 1981, U.S. Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, who started his political career as an FDR/New Deal Democrat but later switched to the GOP, introduced a resolution that, like Gohmert’s, would have made English the official, and only, language of government documents and proceedings.
Before entering politics, Hayakawa was an English professor at the universities of Wisconsin and Chicago, and resigned from San Francisco State University in order to run for office.
“Bilingualism for the individual is fine, but not for a country,” Hayakawa, who died in 1992, once said.
To further his cause, Hayakawa also founded a think tank called U.S. English in 1983. The group bills itself as “the nation’s oldest, largest citizens’ action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States.” It claims more than 2 million members nationally.
The group notes that 32 states, including Florida, have made English their official language.
Back in May, U.S. English touted a poll by Rasmussen Reports, which revealed that 73 percent of Americans support making English America’s official language.
- Florida Gov. DeSantis Releases Statement On First Lady DeSantis’ Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Homeless Florida Woman Survives Early Morning Alligator Attack
- Pennsylvania Electrical Worker Goes On Florida Killing Spree
- 77-Year-Old Florida Woman Killed When Front End Loader Reverses Over Her Car
- EXCLUSIVE: Jailed Marine Who Demanded Accountability Offered To Resign Under Honorable Conditions And Was Rejected
- Florida Man Arrested For Accosting And Stalking Female Trump Supporter
- Group Representing Nation’s School Boards Asks Biden To Dispatch Federal Authorities On Parents Who Object To Left-Wing Education Practices
- Florida Man ‘Pulls A Tyson’ Bites Off Friends Ear After Transporting Drunk Woman In Wheel Barrel
- You’ve Gotta Be Nuts! Florida Man Submits To Voluntary At-Home Castration, Would-Be Urologist Gets 3 Years
Support journalism by clicking here to our GoFundMe or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. It’s Free And Coming To Apple Users Soon
Gosh, is it aluminum or aluminum? What a list of lying losers you have.