Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - March 11, 2009)

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By Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Carper, Mr. Levin, Mrs. McCaskill, and Mr. Tester):

S. 574. A bill to enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing that Government documents issued to the public must be written clearly, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Plain Writing Act of 2009. I am pleased that Senators George Voinovich, Tom Carper Carl Levin, Claire McCaskill, and Jon Tester have joined as original co-sponsors of this legislation.

Our bill is very similar to H.R. 946, introduced by Representative Bruce Braley last month.

The Plain Writing Act has a simple purpose: it would require the Federal Government to write more clearly. Agencies would be required to write documents that are released to the public in a way that is clear, concise, well-organized, readily understandable.

This bill would extend an initiative that President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore started a decade ago as part of the Reinventing Government initiative. In 1998, President Clinton directed agencies to write in plain language. Although many agencies have made progress in writing more clearly, the requirement never was fully implemented. In recent years, the focus on plain writing has dropped. This legislation will renew that focus.

There are many benefits to plain writing. First, it promotes transparency and accountability. It is very difficult to hold the Federal Government accountable for its actions if only lawyers can understand Government writing. As we face an economic crisis and unprecedented budget deficits, the American people need clear explanations of Government actions.

Plain writing also improves customer service. Individuals and businesses waste time and money, and make unnecessary errors, because Government instructions, forms, and other documents are too complicated. Anyone who has filled out their own tax forms, applications for Federal financial aid or veterans' benefits, Medicare forms, or any number of other overly complicated Federal forms understands the need for plain writing.

Government officials, in turn, spend time and money answering questions and addressing complaints from people frustrated with Government documents they cannot understand. Correcting the errors people make because they do not understand Government documents demands Government officials' time as well. Because of this, plain writing makes Government more efficient and effective.

Numerous organizations have called on Congress to require the Federal Government to write more clearly, including the AARP, Disabled American Veterans, National Small Business Association, Small Business Legislative Council, Women Impacting Public Policy, American Nurses Association, American Library Association, American Association of Law Libraries, and several associations dedicated to promoting better communication. These groups support plain writing because their members complain about their frustration with trying to understand Government documents--or hiring attorneys to decipher them--and the time and money they waste because the Government does not write plainly.

As a former teacher and principal, I understand that even very smart people must be trained to write plainly, so this bill recognizes that Federal Employees will need plain writing training. Each agency will report their plans to train employees in plain writing. Writing in plain, clear, concise, and easily understandable language is a skill that Congress and Federal agencies must foster. As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.''

Additionally, congressional oversight will ensure that agencies implement the plain language requirements. Agencies will be required to designate a senior official responsible for implementing plain language requirements and to report to Congress how it will ensure compliance with the plain language requirement and on its progress.

To avoid imposing too great a burden on agencies, agencies will not be required to rewrite existing documents. Only new or substantially revised documents will be covered. Similarly, this bill does not cover regulations, so that agencies can focus first on improving their every day communications with the American people. We recognize that it will be more challenging to write plainly when crafting regulations, which often must be technical and complex.

Requiring plain writing is an important step in improving the way the Federal Government communicates with the American people.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be placed in the Record, as follows:

S. 574

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