Rep. Steve King's controversial bill to make English the official language in the U.S. got a full airing on Capitol Hill on Thursday, as supporters used a hearing to tout claims such a law would bring the country together and critics roundly mocked the proposal. 

One Democrat, Michigan Rep. John Conyers, delivered his opening remarks in strained Spanish. 

Republicans, though, claimed the bill should be taken more seriously and that passing it would compel the country and its immigrants to "embrace a common language once again" and be stronger for it. 

The bill was introduced last year by King, an Iowa Republican known for taking controversial stands on immigration and other issues, and has been kept in committee since then. It has attracted 122 co-sponsors, and King on Thursday used his appearance before a House Judiciary subcommittee to tout the proposal. 

"A common language is the most powerful unifying force known throughout history, throughout all humanity and all time," he said. "If (people) can't communicate, they're bound to separate."