House Proceeding 03-17-10 on Mar 17th, 2010 :: 0:15:35 to 0:20:00
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0:15:10 to 0:16:00( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bruce Braley

0:15:28 to 0:15:48( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: and wait and wait. this can be small buness owners, it can be elected officials at the level that you are talking about because a lot of the policy we set inter secretary with local and state government agent -- intersect with local and state government agencies. and because of that by improving the quality of information we arproviding at the outset, it's going to greatly reduce the demands on many federal employees.

0:15:49 to 0:16:01( Edit History Discussion )

Bruce Braley: that's another side effect of this legislation. and i can't agree more with you that it's important to take this step now so that we can start to send a message we are serious about improved transparency and our

0:16:02 to 0:16:22( Edit History Discussion )

Brian Bilbray: communications with our constituents. i think that it's great that we are moving forth in a bipartisan step to do that. mr. bilbray: i wou ask the gentleman to take a look at the fact that it's sad in the united states that if you go to the translated interpretations of our government regs, they tend to be much more simply put and muchasier to understand

0:16:05 to 0:16:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Brian Bilbray

0:16:23 to 0:16:33( Edit History Discussion )

Brian Bilbray: than the so-called english legalese that's being put out there. i think the challenge is really e that is long in waiting.

0:16:34 to 0:16:54( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: so thank you very much for it. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. please address the remarks to the chair. the gentleman from missouri. mr. clay: i would like to now yield three commints to the distinguished chairman of the house oversight and government reform, the gentleman from new

0:16:35 to 0:20:35( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Edolphus Towns

0:16:55 to 0:17:17( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: york, mr. towns. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. towns: thank you, madam speaker. i would like to first thank the chair of the subcommittee and the chair, ranking member of the full committee, congressman issa, and congressman clay who chairs the subcommittee, and congressman bilbray who, the

0:17:18 to 0:17:38( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: ranking member of the subcommittee, and congressman braley who was responsible for us being here today to move this legislation foard. this is sunshine week. and this is sunshine gislation. this bill requires government documents to be in plain

0:17:39 to 0:17:59( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: writing. the bill defines plain writing as writing that the intended audience can readily understand. and use because it is clear, concise, well organized, and follows other best practices of

0:18:00 to 0:18:20( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: plain writing. requiring government documents to be written clearly will make it easier for americans to understand government communications and it will make the federal government more accountable. president clinton issued a memo in 1998 directing agencies to write documents in plain

0:18:21 to 0:18:42( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: language. 12 years have passed since that memo was written. and most agencies are still not taking the issue very seriously. but i think this legislation will let them know that this is something that we are not going to walk away from. it is important that they follow through. in a letter supporting this

0:18:43 to 0:19:04( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: bill, the american college of physicians wrote, we frequently hear from our members that they have trouble understanding some government letters and forms. our intent is to ensure that government documents created for consumers are clearly and plainly written. h.r. 946 was amended during committee consideration to

0:19:05 to 0:19:26( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: focus the scope of the bill on the type of documents that are most in need of attention. as amended the bill requires agencies to use plain writing and documents that deal with the federal benefits of seices. this means for, for example, that the department of health and human service also have to use plain writing when it

0:19:27 to 0:19:49( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: isues instructions under the medicare prescription drug program. i think that is so important. the bill also requires the i.r.s. to write tax documents in plain writing and requires agencies to use plain writing and documents that explain how to comply with the federal requirements.

0:19:50 to 0:20:11( Edit History Discussion )

Edolphus Towns: this will make it easier for americans, especially small businesses, to comply with the law. in a letter supporting h.r. 94 6, a group of small businesses from organizations wrote and small business owners as well try to adhere to a vast array of federal obligations that often have difficulty deciphering what is being