WASHINGTON - A bill intended to force the federal government to use plain English with the people it serves just got some teeth.

When Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, introduced his plain language bill last fall, he wanted to cut through the indecipherable, bureaucratic gobbledygook he found when he arrived in Washington. So he drafted a bill that asks the government to use "clear, concise and well-organized language." The changes will only affect documents and communications widely available to the public.

After passing the bill unanimously Thursday, a House oversight committee added several amendments intended to make it easier for departments like the Internal Revenue Service, Medicare and Social Security to implement the proposed changes.

"It will increase accountability and save Americans time and money," Braley said in a conference call on Thursday.

Among the changes:

The Government Accountability Office will evaluate existing plain language guidelines and submit recommended changes within six months.

Changes enacted by a new plain language law will apply to tax filing documents.

The changes will also apply to any documents used by federal agencies to collect information.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad

at (319) 291-1580

or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.