Braley pushes plain language bill through House

By JAMES BELTRAN Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa

The U.S. House passed a bill Monday that would prohibit the federal government from writing confusing language on its letters, forms and other publications.

The so-called plain language bill was proposed by Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, who said he wants to change how the government communicates with its citizens.

"I think it's symbolic that we passed this bill on the eve of federal tax filing day," Braley told The Associated Press. "One of the things the bill is designed to do is to simplify and ease the forms that are used by the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies."

The proposal passed 376-1 and will next be debated in the Senate under a companion bill being pushed by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.

Braley's bill would require federal agencies to use simpler language in documents that explain how to apply for a service or benefit. He said the government could save money and time by producing easy-to-read forms that would not require so many questions from applicants.

"I have been a big advocate for this style of writing," Braley said.

"Sometimes these forms and brochures are written without even giving much thought to who is actually going to be reading them."

Under the bill, agencies would have six months to determine how they would implement the new rules and would report on their progress to Congress every few years.

Agencies could follow language guidelines issued by two organizations: the Securities and Exchange Commission's "Plain English Handbook," or the "Federal Plain Language Guidelines" produced by a group of federal employees called the Plain Language Action and Information Network.

Annetta Cheek, who helped establish the plain language network, said the proposal would affect millions of Americans everyday.

"Overall, federal forms are pretty bad," she said.

"The intent of the bill is to make sure ... you don't need professional help to read these things."

The bill wouldn't affect the way statutes or laws are written, though Braley said he hopes the bill could prompt other branches of government to use plain language.

"We want to learn to crawl before we walk, before we run and before we sprint to the finish line," Braley said. "I believe there's huge potential to completely change the way the federal government communicates. We're starting with these federal publications and documents."

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