Washington, May 9 -

Anyone who’s done their own taxes knows the headache of trying to understand pages and pages of confusing forms and instructions.  That’s why I’ve introduced legislation to make government documents, like tax forms, simpler and easier to use.  My Plain Language in Government Communications Act (H.R. 3548) would make taxes a little bit easier in the coming years, and I’m pleased that this bill passed the House on April 14, the day before tax day.  

My Plain Language bill would require the federal government to write documents like tax returns, federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in simple, easy-to-understand language.  Government agencies would have to use short, simple words instead of legal and technical jargon. 

Requiring the government to write in easy-to-understand language would save American taxpayers time and money and make it easier for taxpayers to understand what the federal government is doing and what services it is offering.  Most importantly, this bill would make the government more accessible and accountable to the American people.

My Plain Language bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 376-1.  Its success shows what bipartisanship can accomplish when we put aside our differences and work together for the common good, especially when it’s as straightforward a change as writing documents and tax forms in a way that’s easy for people to understand.