Representative Steve King (R-IA) and Senator Jim InHofe (R-OK) want to ban the federal government from translating documents into other languages. An attempt to codify English as our official language and violate the Voting Rights Act.
As King notes on his website, the bill would require “all official functions of the United States to be conducted in English.” Federal and state governments print thousands of documents every year, many of which are translated into other languages besides English.
One major impact King’s bill could have is to stop the decades-long practice of printing non-English ballots in areas where there’s a significant non-English language group. Indeed, Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 currently requires local jurisdictions with a substantial number of non-English speakers to allow them to vote in other languages.
Nothing says outreach like an open display of contempt for your heritage and culture. Because according to King and Inhofe, you’re doing it wrong. This is America, buddy, and you better speak English and consume a regular diet of Apple Pie and Big Gulps or else we’ll complicate your attempt to cast your vote or pay your taxes.