Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB757

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act or the SWAG ActThis bill prohibits any federal agency or entity from using federal funds to purchase, acquire, or distribute swag (i.e., products distributed at no cost with the sole purpose of advertising or promoting an agency, organization, or program) or to manufacture or use a mascot for promotional purposes. Exceptions to these prohibitions include (1) express authorization in law, (2) recruitment related to armed forces enlistment, and (3) military academy athletic team mascots.

Impact

If enacted, the SWAG Act would amend existing regulations surrounding the use of government funds, establishing stricter guidelines on promotional spending. Under the proposed legislation, agencies would be mandated to report their public relations and advertising expenditures as part of their annual budget justifications to Congress, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of agency budgets. Furthermore, the bill includes exceptions for specific advertising efforts related to recruitment for the Armed Forces and other notable public engagements, clarifying the conditions under which advertising expenditures can still occur.

Summary

House Bill 757, known as the SWAG Act (Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act), aims to restrict federal agencies from utilizing taxpayer funds for publicity or promotional purposes. The bill seeks to enhance the accountability and transparency of federal spending by prohibiting the purchase or distribution of promotional items (referred to as 'swag') and the use of mascots without appropriate authorization. This legislation reflects a broader concern over the responsible allocation of taxpayer dollars and aims to eliminate what some perceive as frivolous governmental advertising practices.

Contention

The proposed bill is likely to generate discussions about the balance between necessary public outreach and wasteful spending. Supporters argue that the bill is essential for protecting taxpayer interests and ensuring that federal agencies remain focused on their primary missions rather than engaging in promotional activities. On the other hand, opponents may raise concerns that restricting advertising could hinder effective communication regarding important government programs or initiatives that benefit the public, particularly in areas such as healthcare and public safety.

Congress_id

119-HR-757

Policy_area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced_date

2025-01-28

Companion Bills

US SB210

Identical bill Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act or the SWAG ActThis bill prohibits any federal agency or entity from using federal funds to purchase, acquire, or distribute swag (i.e., products distributed at no cost with the sole purpose of advertising or promoting an agency, organization, or program) or to manufacture or use a mascot for promotional purposes. Exceptions to these prohibitions include (1) express authorization in law, (2) recruitment related to armed forces enlistment, and (3) military academy athletic team mascots.

Previously Filed As

US SB5647

A bill to require Federal agencies to impose in-person work requirements for employees of those agencies and to occupy a certain portion of the office space of those agencies, and for other purposes.

US HB10398

To prohibit certain sex offenders from entering or using the services of certain emergency shelters, to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to designate emergency shelters for such sex offenders, and for other purposes.

US HB10412

To impose restrictions on Federal agencies with respect to appointments, and for other purposes.

US HB10444

To clarify that States do not have authority to establish or continue in effect any requirement with respect to the sale, distribution, possession, or use of less harmful alternatives to traditional tobacco products to protect public health, and for other purposes.

US HB10428

To support and fund the Federal procurement of clean energy products, and for other purposes.

US HB10406

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize requiring the manufacturers of a covered device to disclose to a patient all patient-specific data that is recorded or transmitted by the device and accessible to the manufacturer, and for other purposes.

US HB10273

To direct the Secretary of Defense, in consultation the heads of certain agencies and organizations, to conduct a study on the health effects of indoor residential mold growth in covered military housing, and for other purposes.

US SB5482

A bill to impose restrictions on Federal agencies with respect to appointments, and for other purposes.

US HB863

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a publishing house from knowingly furnishing sexually explicit material to a school or an educational agency, to prohibit Federal funds from being provided to a school that obtains or an educational agency that distributes sexually explicit material, and for other purposes.

US HB10329

To provide that it is unlawful to knowingly distribute private intimate visual depictions with reckless disregard for the individual's lack of consent to the distribution, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.