Washington, D.C. - Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) is a cosponsor of H. R. 768 – legislation introduced by Congressman Peter King (R-NY) that would terminate the high cost of providing unnecessary multilingual services by repealing former President Bill Clinton’s Executive Order 13166.

Issued on August 11, 2000, Executive Order 13166 requires all federal agencies and federal funds recipients to provide translations of documents and interpreters for limited English proficient persons. The Order effectively made the inability to speak English a protected civil right, yet the Order has no basis in law. When Congress passed the 1965 Civil Rights Act, it made no mention of providing government services in multiple languages.

“It is important for people living in the United States to speak and understand English. A common language is what makes a nation one,” Congressman Jones said. “President Clinton’s Executive Order 13166 not only divides our nation by language, but also imposes a tremendous burden on American tax dollars. According to the Office of Management and Budget, the total national cost of implementing the Order could be as high as $1 to $2 billion annually, with additional unaccounted for costs which could be significant.”

“By repealing President Clinton’s Order and forbidding the use of any taxpayer funds to enforce this misguided policy, H.R. 768 would highlight the importance of the English language to our national unity and put money back in the pockets of hard-working Americans,” Jones said.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.