Official Language

Six years after the Constitution took effect, Congress rejected a request to publish copies of federal laws in German. Two years later, Congress rejected a second request. The cost of printing in multiple languages and the difficulties of translation were the cited reasons.

In 1811, President James Madison signed the Louisiana Enabling Act, requiring all laws, records, and written proceedings of the new state to be in English. 

Be It Resolved: The official language for all governmental business by the United States shall be English.