[国会纪录：2009年3月11日（参议院）] [第S3032-S3033]关于所引入的票据和Akaka先生（为自己，Voinovich先生，卡珀先生，莱文夫人先生，麦克拉斯夫人和考试仪先生）：S. 574.一项加强公民通过建立向公众发布的政府文件而加强公民的条例草案必须清楚地写作，以及其他目的;向国土安全和政府事务委员会。哈卡先生。主席先生，我今天上升了，介绍了2009年的简单撰写法案。我很高兴参议员乔治·沃因奇，汤姆·卡尔特卡尔莱文，克莱尔麦卡斯特和乔恩斯特·克莱斯师已经加入了本立法的原始共同提案国。我们的法案与上个月代表布鲁兰推出的946年非常相似。简单的写作法案有一个简单的目的：它需要联邦政府更清楚地写作。需要代理商撰写以明确，简洁，组织，易于理解的方式释放给公众的文件。本条例草案将举办一项倡议，即比尔克林顿总统和副总裁Al Gore于​​十年前开始作为重新监察政府倡议的一部分。1998年，克林顿总统指导机构以简单的语言写作。 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 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Plain Writing Act of 2009''. SEC. 2. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to improve the effectiveness and accountability of Federal agencies to the public by promoting clear [[Page S3033]] Government communication that the public can understand and use. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' means an Executive agency, as defined under section 105 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Covered document.--The term ``covered document'' means any document (other than a regulation) issued by an agency to the public, including documents and other text released in electronic form. (3) Plain writing.--The term ``plain writing'' means writing that the intended audience can readily understand and use because that writing is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices of plain writing. SEC. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES. (a) Requirement to Use Plain Writing in New Documents.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each agency shall use plain writing in every covered document of the agency issued or substantially revised. (b) Guidance.-- (1) In general.-- (A) Development.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Office of Management and Budget shall develop guidance on implementing the requirements of subsection (a). (B) Issuance.--The Office of Management and Budget shall issue the guidance developed under subpargraph (A) to agencies as a circular. (2) Interim guidance.--Before the issuance of guidance under paragraph (1), agencies may follow the guidance of-- (A) the writing guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network; or (B) guidance provided by the head of the agency that is consistent with the guidelines referred to under subparagraph (A). SEC. 5. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. (a) Initial Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each agency shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives a report that describes how the agency intends to meet the following objectives: (1) Communicating the requirements of this Act to agency employees. (2) Training agency employees in plain writing. (3) Meeting the requirement under section 4(a). (4) Ensuring ongoing compliance with the requirements of this Act. (5) Designating a senior official to be responsible for implementing the requirements of this Act. (b) Annual and Other Reports.-- (1) Agency reports.-- (A) In general.--The head of each agency shall submit reports on compliance with this Act to the Office of Management and Budget. (B) Submission dates.--The Office of Management and Budget shall notify each agency of the date each report under subparagraph (A) is required for submission to enable the Office of Management and Budget to meet the requirements of paragraph (2). (2) Reports to congress.--The Office of Management and Budget shall review agency reports submitted under paragraph (1) using the guidance issued under section 4(b)(1)(B) and submit a report on the progress of agencies to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives-- (A) annually for the first 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) once every 3 years thereafter. ____________________