ELPAC Report January 2003

The ELPAC Report January 2003

2003: Up In The Air for English

What does the upcoming year hold for English? Hard to tell so early after the 2002 elections, but all indicators point to continuing battles in Washington and the states.

A big change in the political mix: the retirement and loss of several pro-English leaders. Some of the biggest leaders of former years, including Cong. Gerald Solomon and Bob Stump have passed away or retired. Cong. Bob Barr (R-Georgia) was defeated for re-election. Also, an ardent and active foe of English, Cong. Nancy Pelosi, was elected to be Democrat Whip, the second highest ranking Democrat in the House; she joins a Democratic House leadership which is increasingly hostile to English.

Nevertheless, observers expect congressional leaders on English to re-introduce legislation to make English the official language of the federal government. Cong. Peter King, a liberal Republican from Long Island, New York who is both pro-immigrant and a strong supporter of English, is expected to again introduce the National Language Act, a comprehensive bill to protect English. Cong. John Doolittle, a California Republican, who for several years has sponsored a constitutional amendment to declare English the official language of the United States, is likely to re-introduce the amendment.

There is some good news in the House. Cong. Doolittle was elected to be Secretary of the House Republican Conference, the sixth-highest ranking position in the party leadership. Some new members, especially Cong. Steve King of Iowa, are expected to take leadership roles on English in the next Congress. Steve King is not related to Cong. Peter King, the sponsor of the National Language Act, but was the sponsor of successful legislation in the state assembly declaring English the official language of Iowa.

In addition to legislation declaring English the official language, the House may also consider bills to reform bilingual education and bilingual ballots. In the wake of successful English immersion initiatives in California and Arizona, and the overwhelming passage of a similar initiative in Massachusetts, the stage is set for bilingual education reforms from Capitol Hill. Similarly, reports of election fraud, especially in the very close South Dakota Senate election, are spurring discussions of reforms to bilingual ballots.

In the Senate, however, there is a vacuum of leadership. Sen. John Kyl (R-Arizona), who had led efforts to reform bilingual education, has given no indication that he will take a leadership role in the upcoming Congress. Although Lindsey Graham, who won the South Carolina seat being vacated by Sen. Jesse Helms, has been a strong supporter in the past (and ELPAC has long supported Graham's election), he is expected to focus more on military and national security issues than on language in the next Congress.