Republicans back bill allowing employers to require English only

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican leaders in the House are supporting a bill that would let employers set an English only policy on the job.

Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia, is the lead sponsor of the Common Sense English Act. The bill, introduced in the House on Wednesday, would allow offices and workplaces around the country to require English under any circumstance they prefer.

The measure comes after the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the Salvation Army over the issue. The charity organization required that their workers learn English within a year and speak English only after that point. The EEOC sued for discrimination.

"What kind of nonsense is that?" said Rep. Price.

"I believe strongly that employers ought to be able to require employees to speak English while engaged in work activities," he said. "And that's all it does. It's very simple."

Price's bill pulled in 31 co-sponsors within hours of being drafted. Among those co-sponsors are other top Republicans in the House, including House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

The Senate has already passed a similar bill, but it has stalled in the Democratic-run House where it was frozen before making it to the floor.

The EEOC insists it is enforcing the current law as written and that regulations are specific. Employers can require English only, but such a policy cannot be in response to any one group, such as Spanish speakers, and it must be for a specific, business-related reason.

"An English only rule must be justified by business necessity," said EEOC regional attorney Elizabeth Grossman. "Safety would be an example."

Price and Republicans behind the bill see more at stake.

"Americans believe that we are a nation united by one language and that our central language protects both our safety and our culture," Price said. E-mail to a friend

All About English Language • U.S. House of Representatives