Bob Barr: “I would like to point out and reiterate to the membership in voting on the Burton amendment the language previously…”

“I would like to point out and reiterate to the membership in voting on the Burton amendment the language previously cited by its author, that "the official English language requirements of the Federal Government apply in Puerto Rico to the same extent as Federal law requires throughout the United States," does nothing but simply lock in the status quo. English is already required for Federal purposes in Puerto Rico. Yet notwithstanding that, the overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans do not understand English, do not speak English. This language in the Burton amendment, which its author cites as a strengthening amendment, simply maintains the status quo. It goes no further and cannot go further by its terms. I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding.”