Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007

To enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style for Government documents issued to the public, and for other purposes.

4/14/2008--Passed House amended. Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2008 -
(Sec. 4) Requires each executive agency, within one year, to:
(1) use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) use the English language in covered documents when appropriate. Authorizes agencies to:
(1) use plain language in any revision of a covered document issued on or before such date; and
(2) follow the guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with such Handbook, Guidelines, and the Comptroller General's recommendations. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to:
(1) prohibit the use of a language other than English;
(2) limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages;
(3) disparage any language or discourage any person from learning or using a language;
(4) affect protections regarding language access; or
(5) be inconsistent with the Constitution.
Defines "covered document" to include:
(1) any document relevant to obtaining a benefit or service or filing taxes; and
(2) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction, in paper or electronic form, but not a regulation.
Requires agencies to use plain language in any collection of information.
Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), acting through the Plain Language Action and Information Network, and the SEC to report to specified congressional committees on whether the Comptroller General's recommendations about plain language guidelines and best practices have been incorporated into the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and the Plain English Handbook and, if not, why.

(Sec. 5) Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it intends to:
(1) communicate the requirements of this Act to employees;
(2) train employees to write in plain language;
(3) meet the one year deadline;
(4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act;
(5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act; and
(6) use plain language in promulgated regulations. Requires agency heads to report on efforts to meet such objectives and on compliance with this Act.
Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate existing guidance for agencies on writing in plain language and report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and specified congressional committees on plain language guidelines and best practices.


... morehide bill summary

Sponsor

• Rep. Bruce Braley [D, IA-1]
• and 32 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. W. Akin [R, MO-2]
  • Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4]
  • Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
  • Rep. Melissa Bean [D, IL-8]
  • Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D, OR-3]
  • Rep. Leonard Boswell [D, IA-3]
  • Nancy Boyda
  • Rep. Dan Burton [R, IN-5]
  • Rep. Elijah Cummings [D, MD-7]
  • Rep. Susan Davis [D, CA-53]
  • Rep. Danny Davis [D, IL-7]
  • Rep. Rahm Emanuel [D, IL-5]
  • Rep. Gabrielle Giffords [D, AZ-8]
  • Rep. Barton Gordon [D, TN-6]
  • Rep. Phil Hare [D, IL-17]
  • Rep. Baron Hill [D, IN-9]
  • Rep. Paul Hodes [D, NH-2]
  • Rep. Henry Johnson [D, GA-4]
  • Rep. Steve Kagen [D, WI-8]
  • Tom Lantos
  • Rep. John Lewis [D, GA-5]
  • Tim Mahoney
  • Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3]
  • Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8]
  • Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D, TX-16]
  • Rep. Carol Shea-Porter [D, NH-1]
  • Rep. Zachary Space [D, OH-18]
  • Rep. Betty Sutton [D, OH-13]
  • Rep. Edolphus Towns [D, NY-10]
  • Sen. Mark Udall [D, CO]
  • Rep. Christopher Van Hollen [D, MD-8]
  • Rep. Peter Welch [D, VT-0]
  close

Committees

• House Oversight and Government Reform
• 1 more
  • House Oversight and Government Reform
  close

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.3548

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
September 17, 2007		April 14, 2008

Latest Vote

April 14, 2008Roll call number 185 in the House
Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 3548 Plain Language in Government Communications Act
Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 2/3 (66%)	Percentage of 'aye' votes: 87%	Result: Passed

Democrats Voting 'Aye'

Close

Rep. Neil Abercrombie [D, HI-1]
Rep. Gary Ackerman [D, NY-5]
Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4]
Rep. Michael Arcuri [D, NY-24]
Rep. Joe Baca [D, CA-43]
Rep. Brian Baird [D, WA-3]
Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D, WI-2]
Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
Rep. Melissa Bean [D, IL-8]
Rep. Shelley Berkley [D, NV-1]
Rep. Howard Berman [D, CA-28]
Rep. Robert Berry [D, AR-1]
Rep. Timothy Bishop [D, NY-1]
Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D, OR-3]
Rep. Dan Boren [D, OK-2]
Rep. Leonard Boswell [D, IA-3]
Rep. Frederick Boucher [D, VA-9]
Rep. Allen Boyd [D, FL-2]
Nancy Boyda
Rep. Bruce Braley [D, IA-1]
Rep. Lois Capps [D, CA-23]
Rep. Dennis Cardoza [D, CA-18]
Rep. Russ Carnahan [D, MO-3]
Rep. Christopher Carney [D, PA-10]
Rep. André Carson [D, IN-7]
Rep. Kathy Castor [D, FL-11]
Rep. Yvette Clarke [D, NY-11]
Rep. William Clay [D, MO-1]
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver [D, MO-5]
Rep. James Clyburn [D, SC-6]
Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]
Rep. John Conyers [D, MI-14]
Rep. Jim Cooper [D, TN-5]
Rep. Jim Costa [D, CA-20]
Rep. Jerry Costello [D, IL-12]
Rep. Joe Courtney [D, CT-2]
Robert Cramer
Rep. Joseph Crowley [D, NY-7]
Rep. Henry Cuellar [D, TX-28]
Rep. Elijah Cummings [D, MD-7]
Rep. Danny Davis [D, IL-7]
Rep. Susan Davis [D, CA-53]
Rep. Artur Davis [D, AL-7]
Rep. Peter DeFazio [D, OR-4]
Rep. Diana DeGette [D, CO-1]
Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D, CT-3]
Rep. Norman Dicks [D, WA-6]
Rep. John Dingell [D, MI-15]
Rep. Lloyd Doggett [D, TX-25]
Rep. Joe Donnelly [D, IN-2]
Rep. Michael Doyle [D, PA-14]
Rep. Thomas Edwards [D, TX-17]
Rep. Keith Ellison [D, MN-5]
Rep. Brad Ellsworth [D, IN-8]
Rep. Rahm Emanuel [D, IL-5]
Rep. Eliot Engel [D, NY-17]
Rep. Anna Eshoo [D, CA-14]
Rep. Bob Etheridge [D, NC-2]
Rep. Sam Farr [D, CA-17]
Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51]
Rep. Bill Foster [D, IL-14]
Rep. Barney Frank [D, MA-4]
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords [D, AZ-8]
Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand [D, NY-20]
Rep. Charles Gonzalez [D, TX-20]
Rep. Barton Gordon [D, TN-6]
Rep. Al Green [D, TX-9]
Rep. Raymond Green [D, TX-29]
Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
Rep. John Hall [D, NY-19]
Rep. Phil Hare [D, IL-17]
Rep. Jane Harman [D, CA-36]
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin [D, SD-0]
Rep. Brian Higgins [D, NY-27]
Rep. Baron Hill [D, IN-9]
Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D, NY-22]
Rep. Rubén Hinojosa [D, TX-15]
Rep. Mazie Hirono [D, HI-2]
Rep. Paul Hodes [D, NH-2]
Rep. Tim Holden [D, PA-17]
Rep. Rush Holt [D, NJ-12]
Darlene Hooley
Rep. Steny Hoyer [D, MD-5]
Rep. Jay Inslee [D, WA-1]
Rep. Steve Israel [D, NY-2]
Rep. Jesse Jackson [D, IL-2]
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18]
Rep. Henry Johnson [D, GA-4]
Rep. Eddie Johnson [D, TX-30]
Stephanie Jones
Rep. Steve Kagen [D, WI-8]
Rep. Paul Kanjorski [D, PA-11]
Rep. Marcy Kaptur [D, OH-9]
Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D, RI-1]
Rep. Dale Kildee [D, MI-5]
Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick [D, MI-13]
Rep. Ronald Kind [D, WI-3]
Rep. Ron Klein [D, FL-22]
Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D, OH-10]
Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2]
Rep. Rick Larsen [D, WA-2]
Rep. John Larson [D, CT-1]
Rep. Barbara Lee [D, CA-9]
Rep. Sander Levin [D, MI-12]
Rep. John Lewis [D, GA-5]
Rep. Daniel Lipinski [D, IL-3]
Rep. David Loebsack [D, IA-2]
Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D, CA-16]
Rep. Nita Lowey [D, NY-18]
Rep. Stephen Lynch [D, MA-9]
Tim Mahoney
Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D, NY-14]
Rep. Edward Markey [D, MA-7]
Rep. James Marshall [D, GA-8]
Rep. Jim Matheson [D, UT-2]
Rep. Doris Matsui [D, CA-5]
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy [D, NY-4]
Rep. Betty McCollum [D, MN-4]
Rep. James McDermott [D, WA-7]
Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3]
Rep. Mike McIntyre [D, NC-7]
Rep. Jerry McNerney [D, CA-11]
Michael McNulty
Rep. Gregory Meeks [D, NY-6]
Rep. Charles Melancon [D, LA-3]
Rep. Michael Michaud [D, ME-2]
Rep. Brad Miller [D, NC-13]
Rep. George Miller [D, CA-7]
Rep. Harry Mitchell [D, AZ-5]
Rep. Alan Mollohan [D, WV-1]
Rep. Gwen Moore [D, WI-4]
Rep. Dennis Moore [D, KS-3]
Rep. Christopher Murphy [D, CT-5]
Rep. Patrick Murphy [D, PA-8]
Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D, NY-8]
Rep. Grace Napolitano [D, CA-38]
Rep. James Oberstar [D, MN-8]
Rep. David Obey [D, WI-7]
Rep. John Olver [D, MA-1]
Rep. Solomon Ortiz [D, TX-27]
Rep. Frank Pallone [D, NJ-6]
Rep. Edward Pastor [D, AZ-4]
Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO-7]
Rep. Collin Peterson [D, MN-7]
Rep. Earl Pomeroy [D, ND-0]
Rep. David Price [D, NC-4]
Rep. Nick Rahall [D, WV-3]
Rep. Charles Rangel [D, NY-15]
Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D, TX-16]
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez [D, TX-23]
Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4]
Rep. Steven Rothman [D, NJ-9]
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard [D, CA-34]
Rep. C.A. Ruppersberger [D, MD-2]
Rep. Timothy Ryan [D, OH-17]
Rep. John Salazar [D, CO-3]
Rep. Loretta Sanchez [D, CA-47]
Rep. Linda Sánchez [D, CA-39]
Rep. John Sarbanes [D, MD-3]
Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D, IL-9]
Rep. Adam Schiff [D, CA-29]
Rep. Robert Scott [D, VA-3]
Rep. David Scott [D, GA-13]
Rep. José Serrano [D, NY-16]
Rep. Joe Sestak [D, PA-7]
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter [D, NH-1]
Rep. Brad Sherman [D, CA-27]
Rep. Heath Shuler [D, NC-11]
Rep. Albio Sires [D, NJ-13]
Rep. Ike Skelton [D, MO-4]
Rep. Louise Slaughter [D, NY-28]
Rep. Victor Snyder [D, AR-2]
Rep. Zachary Space [D, OH-18]
Rep. Jackie Speier [D, CA-12]
Rep. John Spratt [D, SC-5]
Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13]
Rep. Bart Stupak [D, MI-1]
Rep. Betty Sutton [D, OH-13]
Rep. John Tanner [D, TN-8]
Rep. Ellen Tauscher [D, CA-10]
Rep. Gene Taylor [D, MS-4]
Rep. C. Thompson [D, CA-1]
Rep. Bennie Thompson [D, MS-2]
Rep. John Tierney [D, MA-6]
Rep. Edolphus Towns [D, NY-10]
Sen. Tom Udall [D, NM]
Rep. Christopher Van Hollen [D, MD-8]
Rep. Nydia Velázquez [D, NY-12]
Rep. Peter Visclosky [D, IN-1]
Rep. Timothy Walz [D, MN-1]
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D, FL-20]
Rep. Maxine Waters [D, CA-35]
Rep. Diane Watson [D, CA-33]
Rep. Melvin Watt [D, NC-12]
Rep. Henry Waxman [D, CA-30]
Rep. Peter Welch [D, VT-0]
Rep. Robert Wexler [D, FL-19]
Rep. Charles Wilson [D, OH-6]
Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D, CA-6]
Rep. David Wu [D, OR-1]
Albert Wynn
Rep. John Yarmuth [D, KY-3]

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Republicans Voting 'Aye'

Close

Rep. Robert Aderholt [R, AL-4]
Rep. W. Akin [R, MO-2]
Rep. Rodney Alexander [R, LA-5]
Rep. Michele Bachmann [R, MN-6]
Rep. Spencer Bachus [R, AL-6]
Rep. James Barrett [R, SC-3]
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
Rep. Joe Barton [R, TX-6]
Rep. Judy Biggert [R, IL-13]
Rep. Brian Bilbray [R, CA-50]
Rep. Gus Bilirakis [R, FL-9]
Rep. Rob Bishop [R, UT-1]
Rep. Marsha Blackburn [R, TN-7]
Rep. Roy Blunt [R, MO-7]
Rep. John Boehner [R, OH-8]
Rep. Jo Bonner [R, AL-1]
Rep. Mary Bono Mack [R, CA-45]
Rep. John Boozman [R, AR-3]
Rep. Charles Boustany [R, LA-7]
Rep. Kevin Brady [R, TX-8]
Rep. Paul Broun [R, GA-10]
Rep. Henry Brown [R, SC-1]
Rep. Virginia Brown-Waite [R, FL-5]
Rep. Vern Buchanan [R, FL-13]
Rep. Michael Burgess [R, TX-26]
Rep. Dan Burton [R, IN-5]
Rep. Ken Calvert [R, CA-44]
Rep. David Camp [R, MI-4]
Rep. John Campbell [R, CA-48]
Christopher Cannon
Rep. Eric Cantor [R, VA-7]
Rep. Shelley Capito [R, WV-2]
Rep. John Carter [R, TX-31]
Rep. Michael Castle [R, DE-0]
Steven Chabot
Rep. Howard Coble [R, NC-6]
Rep. Tom Cole [R, OK-4]
Rep. K. Conaway [R, TX-11]
Rep. Ander Crenshaw [R, FL-4]
Barbara Cubin
Thomas Davis
David Davis
Rep. Geoff Davis [R, KY-4]
Rep. Nathan Deal [R, GA-9]
Rep. Charles Dent [R, PA-15]
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart [R, FL-21]
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart [R, FL-25]
John Doolittle
Thelma Drake
Rep. David Dreier [R, CA-26]
Rep. John Duncan [R, TN-2]
Rep. Vernon Ehlers [R, MI-3]
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson [R, MO-8]
Terry Everett
Rep. Mary Fallin [R, OK-5]
Tom Feeney
Michael Ferguson
Rep. James Forbes [R, VA-4]
Rep. Jeffrey Fortenberry [R, NE-1]
Vito Fossella
Rep. Virginia Foxx [R, NC-5]
Rep. Trent Franks [R, AZ-2]
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen [R, NJ-11]
Rep. Elton Gallegly [R, CA-24]
Rep. Scott Garrett [R, NJ-5]
Rep. Jim Gerlach [R, PA-6]
Rep. John Gingrey [R, GA-11]
Virgil Goode
Rep. Robert Goodlatte [R, VA-6]
Rep. Kay Granger [R, TX-12]
Rep. Samuel Graves [R, MO-6]
Rep. Ralph Hall [R, TX-4]
Rep. Doc Hastings [R, WA-4]
Robin Hayes
Rep. Dean Heller [R, NV-2]
Rep. Jeb Hensarling [R, TX-5]
Rep. Walter Herger [R, CA-2]
David Hobson
Rep. Peter Hoekstra [R, MI-2]
Rep. Bob Inglis [R, SC-4]
Rep. Darrell Issa [R, CA-49]
Rep. Samuel Johnson [R, TX-3]
Rep. Timothy Johnson [R, IL-15]
Rep. Walter Jones [R, NC-3]
Rep. Jim Jordan [R, OH-4]
Ric Keller
Rep. Steve King [R, IA-5]
Rep. Peter King [R, NY-3]
Rep. Jack Kingston [R, GA-1]
Rep. Mark Kirk [R, IL-10]
Rep. John Kline [R, MN-2]
Joseph Knollenberg
John Kuhl
Ray LaHood
Rep. Doug Lamborn [R, CO-5]
Rep. Thomas Latham [R, IA-4]
Rep. Steven LaTourette [R, OH-14]
Rep. Robert Latta [R, OH-5]
Ron Lewis
Rep. Jerry Lewis [R, CA-41]
Rep. John Linder [R, GA-7]
Rep. Frank Lucas [R, OK-3]
Rep. Daniel Lungren [R, CA-3]
Rep. Donald Manzullo [R, IL-16]
Rep. Kevin McCarthy [R, CA-22]
Rep. Michael McCaul [R, TX-10]
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter [R, MI-11]
James McCrery
Rep. Patrick Mchenry [R, NC-10]
Rep. John McHugh [R, NY-23]
Rep. Howard McKeon [R, CA-25]
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers [R, WA-5]
Rep. John Mica [R, FL-7]
Rep. Jeff Miller [R, FL-1]
Rep. Candice Miller [R, MI-10]
Rep. Gary Miller [R, CA-42]
Rep. Jerry Moran [R, KS-1]
Rep. Tim Murphy [R, PA-18]
Marilyn Musgrave
Rep. Sue Myrick [R, NC-9]
Rep. Randy Neugebauer [R, TX-19]
Rep. Devin Nunes [R, CA-21]
Steven Pearce
Rep. Mike Pence [R, IN-6]
Rep. Thomas Petri [R, WI-6]
Rep. Joseph Pitts [R, PA-16]
Rep. Todd Platts [R, PA-19]
Rep. Ted Poe [R, TX-2]
Jon Porter
Rep. Tom Price [R, GA-6]
Rep. Adam Putnam [R, FL-12]
James Ramstad
Ralph Regula
Rep. Dennis Rehberg [R, MT-0]
Rep. Dave Reichert [R, WA-8]
Thomas Reynolds
Rep. Michael Rogers [R, AL-3]
Rep. Harold Rogers [R, KY-5]
Rep. Michael Rogers [R, MI-8]
Rep. Peter Roskam [R, IL-6]
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R, FL-18]
Rep. Edward Royce [R, CA-40]
Rep. Paul Ryan [R, WI-1]
Bill Sali
H. Saxton
Rep. Jean Schmidt [R, OH-2]
Rep. F. Sensenbrenner [R, WI-5]
Rep. Peter Sessions [R, TX-32]
Rep. John Shadegg [R, AZ-3]
Rep. John Shimkus [R, IL-19]
Rep. Michael Simpson [R, ID-2]
Rep. Lamar Smith [R, TX-21]
Rep. Adrian Smith [R, NE-3]
Rep. Christopher Smith [R, NJ-4]
Rep. Mark Souder [R, IN-3]
Rep. Clifford Stearns [R, FL-6]
Rep. John Sullivan [R, OK-1]
Thomas Tancredo
Rep. Lee Terry [R, NE-2]
Rep. William Thornberry [R, TX-13]
Rep. Todd Tiahrt [R, KS-4]
Rep. Patrick Tiberi [R, OH-12]
Rep. Frederick Upton [R, MI-6]
Timothy Walberg
Rep. Greg Walden [R, OR-2]
James Walsh
Rep. Zach Wamp [R, TN-3]
Gerald Weller
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland [R, GA-3]
Rep. Edward Whitfield [R, KY-1]
Rep. Addison Wilson [R, SC-2]
Rep. Rob Wittman [R, VA-1]
Rep. Frank Wolf [R, VA-10]
Rep. Donald Young [R, AK-0]

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Others Voting 'Aye'

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Democrats Voting 'Nay'

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Republicans Voting 'Nay'

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Rep. Jeff Flake [R, AZ-6]

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Others Voting 'Nay'

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Democrats Voting 'Abstain'

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Thomas Allen
Rep. Robert Andrews [D, NJ-1]
Rep. Xavier Becerra [D, CA-31]
Rep. Sanford Bishop [D, GA-2]
Rep. Robert Brady [D, PA-1]
Rep. Corrine Brown [D, FL-3]
Rep. George Butterfield [D, NC-1]
Rep. Michael Capuano [D, MA-8]
Rep. Ben Chandler [D, KY-6]
Rep. Lincoln Davis [D, TN-4]
Rep. William Delahunt [D, MA-10]
Rep. Chaka Fattah [D, PA-2]
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez [D, IL-4]
Rep. Alcee Hastings [D, FL-23]
Rep. Michael Honda [D, CA-15]
William Jefferson
Nicholas Lampson
Rep. Kendrick Meek [D, FL-17]
Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8]
Rep. John Murtha [D, PA-12]
Rep. Richard Neal [D, MA-2]
Rep. William Pascrell [D, NJ-8]
Rep. Donald Payne [D, NJ-10]
Rep. Laura Richardson [D, CA-37]
Rep. Bobby Rush [D, IL-1]
Rep. Allyson Schwartz [D, PA-13]
Rep. Adam Smith [D, WA-9]
Rep. Hilda Solis [D, CA-32]
Rep. Niki Tsongas [D, MA-5]
Sen. Mark Udall [D, CO]
Rep. Anthony Weiner [D, NY-9]

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Republicans Voting 'Abstain'

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Rep. Stephen Buyer [R, IN-4]
Rep. John Culberson [R, TX-7]
Philip English
Wayne Gilchrest
Rep. Louis Gohmert [R, TX-1]
Kenny Hulshof
Duncan Hunter
Rep. Frank LoBiondo [R, NJ-2]
Rep. Connie Mack [R, FL-14]
Rep. Kenny Marchant [R, TX-24]
Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14]
John Peterson
Charles Pickering
Deborah Pryce
Rep. George Radanovich [R, CA-19]
Rick Renzi
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher [R, CA-46]
Christopher Shays
Rep. William Shuster [R, PA-9]
Rep. Michael Turner [R, OH-3]
David Weldon
Heather Wilson
Rep. C. W. Young [R, FL-10]

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Others Voting 'Abstain'

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---

See Full Voting History (1 votes)Hide Voting History     Show All Actions (17 actions)Hide Actions

Voting History

Date	Chamber	Question	Aye	Nay	Result
April 14, 2008	House	H.R.3548 Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 3548 Plain Language in Government Communications Act	376	1	Passed	See Vote

All Bill Actions

• Added to calendar on Aug 01, 2008: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 929..
• Apr 15, 2008: Received in the Senate.
• Passed roll in the House on Apr 14, 2008. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 1 (Roll no. 185).
• Apr 14, 2008: Considered as unfinished business.
• Apr 14, 2008: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
• Apr 14, 2008: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3548.
• Apr 14, 2008: Mr. Braley (IA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• Apr 14, 2008: Considered under suspension of the rules.
• Added to calendar on Apr 10, 2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 358..
• Apr 10, 2008: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-580.
• Added to calendar on Mar 13, 2008: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote..
• Mar 13, 2008: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
• Jan 29, 2008: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
• Jan 29, 2008: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
• Oct 01, 2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.
• Sep 17, 2007: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• Introduced on Sep 17, 2007.

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Related Bills:

• S.2291

Related Issue Areas:

• Government information
• Communications
• Congress
• Congressional reporting requirements
• 8 more
• Employee training
• English language
• Federal employees
• Government employees
• Government paperwork
• Government publications
• Government publicity
• Job training

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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March 31, 2008 US Rep. Braley: To deliver keynote address at plain language ...

Braley will discuss his Plain Language in Government Communications Act (HR 3548), which was recently passed by the House Oversight and Government Reform ...

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December 31, 2008 All Things Reform: Join Social Actions contest to create an ...

Us (1); GPO (2); grants (2); graphs (1); Green (1); groups (2); guides (7); GWOT (2); H.R.1225 (1); H.R.1254 (1); H.R.1255 (2); H.R.1424 (1); H.R.1483 (1); H.R.2262 (1); H.R.2316 (1); H.R.2317 (3); H.R.2419 (1); H.R.3548 (1) ...

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Source: All Things Reform

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December 15, 2008 NFIB.com - Report on the 110th Congress: Small Business Victories

H.R. 3548, the Plain Language in Government Communications Act This bill requires the federal government to write documents using simple and easy-to-understand language, and common documents like tax returns and veterans benefit forms ...

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Source: Alabama Small-Business News From NFIB

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December 10, 2008 All Things Reform: FairVote's Democracy Innovator Awards winners

Us (1); GPO (2); grants (2); graphs (1); Green (1); groups (2); guides (7); GWOT (2); H.R.1225 (1); H.R.1254 (1); H.R.1255 (2); H.R.1424 (1); H.R.1483 (1); H.R.2262 (1); H.R.2316 (1); H.R.2317 (3); H.R.2419 (1); H.R.3548 (1) ...

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Source: All Things Reform

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