Government Reform and Accountability

The public's right to know what its government is doing is fundamental to a thriving democracy and critical to empowering the American people to play an active role in their government, and to giving them access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger. To this end, I was proud to support various measures this past Congress to increase government transparency and accountability. 

Plain Language Act (H.R. 946)

• Requires federal agencies to use plain writing in certain government documents -- related to a federal service or benefit, tax documents, and documents that explain how to comply with a federal requirement
• Requires the federal government to write new publications, forms, and instructions in a "clear, concise, and well-organized" manner that the intended audience can readily understand

Electronic Message Preservation Act (H.R. 1387)

• Requires the Archivist of the United States to establish standards for the preservation of White House e-mails and requires the Archivist to issue regulations governing the preservation of e-mails by federal agencies

Member’s Allowances for Deficit Reduction (H.R. 4825)

• Makes it permanent law to require amounts remaining in a Member's Representational Allowance after the fiscal year to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction and to reduce the debt
• Ensures that all funds authorized but left unused from congressional office accounts would be devoted to closing the budget gap

Passage of these bills builds on achievements in strengthening government accountability and transparency made since 2006.  I am hopeful that my colleagues in this new Congress will continue the important precedent set, and ensure our government remains open and transparent.