How to read PDF on Safari on iPad
how do I read pDFs off of government websites that once I try to download them it says that acrobat DC is required
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad Pro, iPadOS 16
Hi, and welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community!
Seems you would be able to just open and read the pdf's ok from Safari.
You can likely save any pdf's you want to keep to the Books app.
How to: Read PDF documents in Books on iPad – Apple Support
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Re: once I try to download them it says that acrobat DC is required
Browse the web using Safari on iPad – Apple Support
says:
Manage downloads
To download a file, touch and hold the file or link you want to download, then tap Download Linked File.
Tap 
to check the status of a file you’re downloading, to access downloaded files quickly, or to drag a downloaded file onto another file or into an email you’re working on.
Tip: You can download files in the background while you continue to use Safari.
If this is not working for you:
Maybe you can just save (or "share" to yourself) a pdf you have opened.
All the best :-)