WASHINGTON DC - Today, Rep Honda, as Chairman Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, issued the following statement:

"Congressman King shows once again that he has no deference for equal rights. H.R. 1307 is dangerous and divisive. His bill is motivated by nativism, and founded on false assumptions and stereotypes about the limited English proficient (LEP) community. By trying to nullify Executive Order 13166, he is punishing and restricting the rights of individuals who are limited English speaking. Executive Order 13166 was signed by President Clinton to prevent discrimination against language minorities to ensure access to critical rights and services."

As Chairman Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I have long been an advocate for equal access for all of our communities, including LEP persons.  As a Member of the House Appropriations committee, I have fought for the inclusion of funding and report language to support LEP programs at federal agencies. The Executive Order that Congressman King is attacking requires federal agencies to develop and implement services that ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to the programs agencies provide. It allows people to understand their basic rights ---from being able to navigate the court system to understanding their health care rights. Moreover, the  Executive Order  requires federal agencies to provide guidance to recipients of federal funding on how to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits national origin discrimination.

Congressman King’s bill does not promote our country’s long standing principles of tolerance and equal access. This isn’t the first time a radical piece of legislation like this has been introduced, and I will continue to speak out against measures like this. It punishes and restricts the right of individuals who are LEP ,and  fails to promote the assimilation of immigrants into American society. We should not deny taxpaying LEP individuals fair and equal access to governmental services to which they are entitled."