The Senate has passed a bill to: "expand and update an existing law on plain language requirements for agencies" which is to apply to all writing which the public might read, i.e., contracts, applications, etc. etc.
Why do I say it's doomed? We've had almost 55 years worth of campaigning on the subject with no claims of victory.
I remember Jimmy Carter, who had a drive for "Plain English". See this website. At that time we had to include in the clearance package for regulations a certification that the regulation had been reviewed for plain English. It turned into a rubber stamp exercise. That's the way it goes in the bureaucracy. The bureaucrat is most concerned that the document be acceptable to those who clear it, to her bosses whether in the chain of command or with veto power (often the lawyers). Those people are years removed from a personal concern with the clarity of government forms.
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