English Language Unity Act of 2025

This bill aims to declare English as the official language of the United States . It mandates that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English, including encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the language. Consequently, all official functions of the Government of the United States would be conducted in English . The legislation broadly defines "official functions" as those that bind the government, are legally required, or are subject to public scrutiny, applying to all laws, public proceedings, regulations, and policies. However, it provides several specific exemptions, including for the teaching of languages, requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and actions necessary for national security, international relations, public health and safety, or census activities. The bill also explicitly permits the use of terms of art from other languages and protects the preservation and use of Native Alaskan and Native American languages. Additionally, the bill establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization , requiring candidates to read and understand foundational U.S. documents, with naturalization ceremonies conducted in English; the Secretary of Homeland Security will issue testing rules with limited exceptions. It also amends general rules of construction for U.S. laws, asserting that English language requirements and workplace policies are presumptively consistent with federal law, and ambiguities in English texts should be resolved to protect retained rights and reserved powers. These provisions will take effect 180 days after the bill's enactment.