Proposed Resolution to Acknowledge the Importance of Spanish in the United States

On October 14, 2025, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán introduced a resolution before the US House of Representatives titled “Recognizing the importance of Spanish-language media in the United States” (H.Res. 804).

Including Barragán, a Democrat from California, the resolution has a total of 26 cosponsors with 24 Democrats and two Republicans.

Simple resolutions in Congress are not the same as bills. Generally, to become a law, a bill must pass in the House of Representatives and the Senate, then be signed by the president. 

Whereas, a simple resolution in either the House of Representatives or the Senate does not become an enforced law, and does not require approval from the other house of Congress or the president. 

Instead, a simple resolution addresses an internal concern within either house of Congress, or can be used to “express the sentiments of a single house,” or to give advice about some executive action.

This resolution comes roughly seven months after President Trump signed an executive order declaring English the only official language of the United States at the federal level. 

The executive order was later followed by a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ), which stated their intention to “lead a coordinated effort across federal agencies to minimize non-essential multilingual services, [and] redirect resources toward English-language education and assimilation.”

Conversely, the present resolution highlights the significant role Spanish plays in American society. The text acknowledges Spanish as the second-most spoken language in the US, noting that it is spoken at home by over 41 million people in the country.

The text highlights the importance of Spanish-language news outlets for broadcasting both local and national news, as well as emergency and public health announcements, to communities “that might otherwise face language barriers.”

Going beyond news content, the resolution also acknowledges the cultural, economic, and educational contribution provided by Spanish-language media, stating that it “enriches the broader cultural fabric of the United States.”

The document ends with a statement commending Spanish-language journalists and entertainers for their societal contribution, while also “recogniz[ing]” the “indispensable role” of Spanish news/cultural content, and “affirm[ing]” that access to such content is “a matter of opportunity, inclusion, and democratic participation.”

The final line of the resolution states that the House “encourages continued support for policies and initiatives that promote language access and ensure the sustainability and growth of Spanish-language media outlets nationwide.”

At the time of writing, the resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.