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Judiciary committee clears 'Words Matter' bill to replace outdated statutory language
Summary
Committee adopted and reported HR 3420 to replace outdated terminology (e.g., 'mental retardation') with 'intellectual disability' across federal statutes; sponsors from both parties described the change as bipartisan and non-substantive.
The House Judiciary Committee unanimously adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute and voted to report HR 3420, the Words Matter Act, which would update federal statutory language to replace derogatory terminology with the term "intellectual disability." Chair and ranking member framed the bill as completing the work begun by Rose's Law and stressed that the changes do not alter substantive rights or obligations.
Supporters emphasized the bill's symbolic and practical importance: "This is a day in American history," one member said, noting bipartisan sponsorship and the goal of removing offensive terminology from the U.S. Code. The committee adopted a non-substantive title edit and ordered the bill reported favorably to the House.
Committee members asked that opening statements be entered into the record and noted that the measure had broad bipartisan support for the technical corrections and language updates.
