House Proceeding 03-17-10 on Mar 17th, 2010 :: 0:03:40 to 0:07:45
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0:03:39 to 0:03:59( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: supervisors, but in many forms. i join mr. clay and mrs. bono mack to -- in supporting this resolution. i reserve the bance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from missouri is recognized. mr. clay: madam speaker, i have no further speakers. i continue to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized.

0:03:40 to 0:07:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: William L Jr Clay

0:04:00 to 0:04:21( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: mr. bilbray: mr. speaker, in the spirit of cooperation with the leadership, i will at this time yield back my time and i ask for support of the bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california yields back his time. the gentleman from missouri. mr. clay: i thank my friend from california, mr. bilbray, for joing in urging our colleagues to recognize the

0:04:22 to 0:04:42( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: life and work of roy wilson by supporng this measure. and i yield back the balance of our time. the speaker pro tempore: all time has been yielded back. the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 4214. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are

0:04:43 to 0:05:03( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection -- mr. clay: madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from missouri is requested. mr. clay: i request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays have been requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are

0:05:04 to 0:05:24( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 and the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri seek recognition? mr. clay: madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r.

0:05:25 to 0:05:45( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: 946, the plain language act of 2009, as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 946, 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 . the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from missouri, mr.

0:05:46 to 0:06:07( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: clay, and the gentleman from california, mr. bilbray, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from missouri. mr. clay: thank you, madam speaker. and i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered.

0:06:08 to 0:06:28( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: the gentleman from missouri. mr. clay: in recognition of sunshine week, today we are considering h.r. 946, legislation aimed at making the government more open and accessible. h.r. 946, the plain language act, was introduced by representative bruce braley.

0:06:29 to 0:06:49( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: this bill requires agencies to use plain writing in government documents. the administration recently issued a directive on open government. one of the central principles of the directive is that information should be accessible. this is the aim of this bill. this bill will make information

0:06:50 to 0:07:11( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: more accessible by requiring agencies to write docments in a way that is clear and easily understood. we often focus on the need to make information available, but even if information is available it -- it isn't useful unless it can be understood. aarp wrote a letter supporting this bill.

0:07:12 to 0:07:34( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: it says, the use of plain language in documents issued to the public will save the federal government an enormous amount of time now spent helping citizens understand the correspondence they receive. it will minimize complaints

0:07:35 to 0:07:46( Edit History Discussion )

William L Jr Clay: from frustrated citizens trying to decipher overly dense and nontransparent communications. madam speaker, i urge my