Domenici Votes Against Attempt To Make English National Language

UNDATED (AP) – US Senator Pete Domenici has voted against an amendment that would declare English as the national language of the United States.

The Senate voted 63-to-34 yesterday to approve the amendment. Domenici, a New Mexico Republican, voted in favor of an alternative amendment that says English is the common and unifying language of the United States.

That amendment passed by a vote of 58-to-39. Both provisions will be included in an immigration bill being debated in the Senate.

Supporters agree that both measures are largely symbolic.

Domenici, the son of Italian immigrants, says he’s never believed there should be a national language.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-05-19-06 1233EDT