Senate says English is national, unifying tongue

[Martrae]

May 18, 9:33 PM (ET)
By Donna Smith

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate agreed on Thursday to make English the national language of the United States and moments later also adopted a milder alternative calling English the country's "unifying language."

Which amendment ends up in the final version of an overhaul of U.S. immigration law will depend on negotiations with the U.S. House of Representatives. Neither would bar the use of Spanish or other languages in government services.

The Senate immigration plan couples tightened border security and enforcement and a guest-worker program with measures giving a path to citizenship to some of the 12 million illegal immigrants, most from Spanish-speaking nations.

"This is not just about preserving our culture and heritage, but also about bettering the odds for our nation's newest potential citizens," said Oklahoma Republican James Inhofe, who sponsored the national language amendment, which passed by a vote of 63-34.

The United States currently has no official language and some lawmakers said they feared Inhofe's amendment would lead to discrimination against people who are not proficient in English. They also said it could hurt efforts to promote public health and safety in other languages.

"Although the intent may not be there, I really believe this amendment is racist. I believe it is directed at people who speak Spanish," Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said.

The issue is politically popular, and in a congressional election year lawmakers strongly supported both measures. Inhofe said opinion polls showed 84 percent of Americans supported making English the national language.

The Senate, by 58-39, also agreed to an alternative offered by Sen. Ken Salazar, a Colorado Democrat, stating "English is the common and unifying language of the United States that helps provide unity for the people of the United States."

President George W. Bush backs immigration reform close to what the Senate is considering and visited Arizona on Thursday to press his plan to send up to 6,000 National Guard troops to the Mexican border. While not specifically endorsing the Senate amendment, Bush spoke of the need to unite Americans.

"We've got to honor the great American tradition of the melting pot," Bush said. "Americans are bound together by shared ideals and appreciation of our history, of respect for our flag and ability to speak the English language."

HOUSE OPPOSITION

Many of Bush's own Republicans, particularly in the House, oppose giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, saying it amounts to amnesty.

The Senate killed an amendment that would have denied a chance for permanent status and eventual citizenship to illegal immigrants who have been in the country less than five years and to any future immigrants who enter the country under the guest-worker program.

Opponents said the amendment, offered by Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, would have gutted the bipartisan bill that allows guest workers an opportunity to seek permanent residence.

Senators are pushing to complete the immigration bill by the end of next week. But it would still face tough negotiations with the House.

Also on Thursday, the Senate rejected an effort to limit Social Security benefits for illegal immigrants who would become permanent residents under an immigration overhaul.

[Phlegm]

I think that everyone that live in this country should speak at least one common language.

[Agrajag]

"This is not just about preserving our culture and heritage, but also about bettering the odds for our nation's newest potential citizens," said Oklahoma Republican James Inhofe, who sponsored the national language amendment, which passed by a vote of 63-34.

WTF?! I cannot believe anyone opposed this! Racism my ass!

[Diekan]

I agree 100%. About damn time too. The country was founded on English and it's the most spoken language. Why not nationalize it? Ohh, I forgot we might hurt the feelings of Nanu from Africa who can't order a Big Mac in his native tongue.

[Phlegm]

I agree 100%. About damn time too. The country was founded on English and it's the most spoken language. Why not nationalize it? Ohh, I forgot we might hurt the feelings of Nanu from Africa who can't order a Big Mac in his native tongue.

He can't order it in his native tongue either unless that part of Africa speaks Spanish.

[Jay]

You can thank big business for catering to the non english speaking people of America.

"Hey, those beaners have money too! We can get some serious dough if we learn how to speak Mexican."

[Phlegm]

You can thank big business for catering to the non english speaking people of America.

Of course, all of them want to make money. It doesnt matter where it comes from.

[Jay]

I don't have a problem with it. I'm just saying that's where it comes from. Hence why I'm fluent in Spanish and Japanese as well as Vietnamese and engrish.

[Eziekial]

Yes, because we needed a law to address this important issue.

[Hound]

> Neither would bar the use of Spanish or other languages in government services.

So, what does this law really *do* then?

[Eziekial]

waste....



























































...time

[dammuzis]

basically it allows a senator running for reelection to say he voted for tough legislation promoting english as the national language

the trailer park rednexks who have no clue will lap it up

[Naethyn]

you have to know english to pass naturalization

[Tuggan]

its bout fuckin time

[Jimmy Durante]

some lawmakers said they feared Inhofe's amendment would lead to discrimination against people who are not proficient in English.

One could make the argument that most native born Americans lack proficiency in English as well.

[Harrison]

Around here you have to know Portuguese for a lot of jobs. They're fucking everywhere here.

I can understand them but I can't speak it worth a shit. Was a real pain in the ass trying to rent hardware/tools to these contractors that don't speak english.

[Lyion]

Heaven forbid people in this country become multi lingual.

[Narrock]

Heaven forbid people in this country become multi lingual.

The point is that English is the official language of the U.S. We shouldn't have to be forced to learn every language of every foreigner coming over here. They should learn our language before they even get here.

[Lyion]

How many people in the US are Bilingual, again, oustide of the ones who aren't originally from here? It doesnt seem like anyone is really speaking anything but English.

More language would be good for us, and few enough natives speak anything more than English and Bad English.

[Phlegm]

Heaven forbid people in this country become multi lingual.

The point is that English is the official language of the U.S. We shouldn't have to be forced to learn every language of every foreigner coming over here. They should learn our language before they even get here.

English is the official language of California since 1986 when proposition 63 passed but that didn't change anything here.

[Agrajag]

"Hey, those beaners have money too! We can get some serious dough if we learn how to speak Mexican."

"Mexican" is not a language. It would be like going to your family reunion, Jay, and trying to speak "Asian."