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Words Matter Act of 2025

4/6/2026, 8:25 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3420

This bill, designated as H.R. 3420 in the 119th Congress and introduced on May 15, 2025, aims to amend Federal law by eliminating the use of the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation."

Congressional Summary of HR 3420

Words Matter Act of 2025

This bill removes outdated terminology in specified statutes by replacing references to mentally retarded and mental retardation with intellectual disability.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 3420

Bill HR 3420 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 15, 2025. Bill HR 3420 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on May 15, 2025.  Bill HR 3420's most recent activity was Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. as of March 26, 2026

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3420

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
29
Democrat Cosponsors
10
Republican Cosponsors
19
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3420

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3420

To amend Federal law to remove the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation", and for other purposes.
To amend Federal law to remove the terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation", and for other purposes.

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 3420

Pete Sessions
Pete Sessions
TexasRepublican
Ryan K. Zinke
Ryan K. Zinke
MontanaRepublican
Mark Pocan
Mark Pocan
WisconsinDemocrat
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Eleanor Holmes Norton
District of ColumbiaDemocrat
Richard Hudson
Richard Hudson
North CarolinaRepublican
Christopher H. Smith
Christopher H. Smith
New JerseyRepublican

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