House passes Braley Plain Language Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bill Would Require Government to Write Tax Forms, Other Documents in
Easy-to-Understand, Simple Language

Washington, DC - As part of Sunshine Week, the House today passed Rep.
Bruce Braley's (D-Iowa) Plain Language Act (HR 946), which will
require the federal government to write documents, such as tax returns,
federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in
simple, easy-to-understand language. The bill passed the House by a
widely bipartisan margin of 386-33. Sunshine Week is a national
initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government
and freedom of information.

"There is no reason why the federal government can't write these forms
and other public documents in a way we can all understand," Braley said.
"Writing government documents in plain language will increase government
accountability and will save Americans time and money. Plain,
straightforward language makes it easy for taxpayers to understand what
the federal government is doing and what services it is offering.

"The Plain Language Act requires a simple change to business-as-usual
that'll make a big difference for anyone who's ever filled out a tax
return or received a government document. This bill shows what
bipartisanship can accomplish when we put aside our differences and work
together for the common good."

The Plain Language Act requires the federal government to write all
new publications, forms, and publicly distributed documents in a "clear,
concise, well-organized" manner that follows the best practices of plain
language writing.

Braley introduced the bill in February 2009. A companion bill introduced
by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and George Voinovich (R-OH) was passed
by a Senate committee in December.

To learn more about writing in plain language, visit:  http://www.plainlanguage.gov

Contact:  Caitlin.Legacki@mail.house.gov
Commuications Director
Congressman Brue Braley (D-Iowa) Office