New Federal Language Access Bill Proposed in US House of Representatives

On January 22, 2026, Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, introduced a new bill before the United States House of Representatives that would codify the right of limited English proficient (LEP) individuals to receive language services from US federal agencies. 

The bill’s full title is “A Bill to Improve Access to Federal services by individuals with limited English proficiency, and for other purposes.” It is also called the “Language Access for All Act of 2026.” The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Judy Chu and Rep. Juan Vargas, both of California, and Rep. Daniel Goldman of New York (H.R. 7223).

The Language Access for All Act is aimed at countering President Trump’s March 2025 executive order (EO) declaring English the only official language at the federal level, and revoking the Clinton-era EO 13166, which had promoted access to language services from federal agencies.

The bill also directly contradicts the July 2025 guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to “minimize non-essential multilingual services,” and “redirect resources toward English-language education and assimilation.”

A January 23, 2026, press release from the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) states that the bill, “modernizes and strengthens the federal government’s approach to language access by codifying EO 13166 and establishing a coordinated, accountable framework to ensure meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency.”

Rep. Meng is the current CAPAC chairwoman, and all three of her cosponsors on the bill are CAPAC members. 

The press release includes statements from the bill’s cosponsors endorsing the proposed legislation and opposing the Trump administration’s language access policy. For example, Rep. Goldman is quoted as saying, “I am proud to be introducing legislation to restore common sense requirements and ensure information about basic government services is made available to all.” 

Similarly, Rep. Chu is quoted in the press release as saying, “language access is a civil right and rolling back these services is an attack on our immigrant communities.”

What Would the Bill Do?

If the bill passes, heads of federal agencies would be required to “ensure” that LEP individuals receive “meaningful access” to their agency’s programs and services. The text specifies that this “meaningful access” should be comparable to access given in English, come at no cost to the LEP person, and “result[s] in accurate, timely, and effective communication.”

This would include each agency translating “vital documents” into languages they frequently encounter, as well as the most common languages spoken in the US per the current census data. Agencies would also be required to provide interpreting services, including sight translation, and over-the-phone (OTP) interpreting or video-remote interpreting services.

Interestingly, the bill allows federal agencies to use “demonstrably bilingual staff” in lieu of qualified interpreters and translators if they have been “assessed and are qualified to deliver accurate and effective communication.”

The text goes on to state that, “when qualified, such staff may offer service that is faster, more effective, and more cost-efficient than the use of qualified interpreters or translators.”

Regarding other alternatives to traditional language services, the bill would forbid federal agencies from “fully” replacing human linguists with AI interpreting or translation services. Instead, any language services provided through AI tools would have to be reviewed by qualified translators and interpreters.

The bill would also require agencies to ensure that AI language services comply with existing privacy law, are tested to avoid discrimination against protected classes, and are “continuously monitored” for performance quality. 

In addition to mandating specific services, the bill establishes frameworks for maintaining and monitoring language access in federal agencies. For example, the bill would require each federal agency to develop a language access plan.

These plans would include content like which LEP populations “are likely to seek access to the services and programs of the agency,” descriptions of how the agency would provide language services, and internal mechanisms for evaluating, reviewing, and improving their language services.

Under this bill, agency heads would also have to collaborate with the Attorney General, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and LEP advocates/stakeholders to establish “Language Access Technical Standards” that would apply to all agency programs and communications. 

Notably, the bill also contains clear language stating that noncompliance would be considered discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This directly contradicts the DOJ memo from July 2025, which emphasized that an individual’s language proficiency is not necessarily a protected characteristic under Title VI.

At the time of writing, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Image: June 4, 2021: Rep. Grace Meng.