Snap-O Fact #42

Post date: Dec 17, 2011 2:6:56 PM

Snap-O Fact #42

President Obama Initiated a “Plain Language” Act.President Obama mandated federal agencies to write in “plain English” and documents be written in “plain writing”. He signed the Plain Writing Act on Oct. 13, 2010 requiring all government documents to use plain language, which is defined as “writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience,” according to ABC News. Although the bill was opposed by some Republicans, it eventually passed Congress and was signed by the President to ensure that the people understand what the government is doing, especially when it comes to budget and other related issues such as tax returns, Veterans Administration forms, federal college financial aid, health insurance, etc. 

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/obama-signs-law-understand/story?id=11902841#.TuaVNFZdDLQ 

http://braley.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&id=814

http://www.plainlanguage.gov/news/index.cfm?topic=ysnall&offset=4 

http://www.plainlanguage.gov/plLaw/index.cfm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/19/plain-writing-act-to-take_n_864336.html