Bill · H.R. 757· House(119-HR-757)
SWAG Act
- Introduced
- 1/28/2025
- Last activity
- 1/28/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Cloud
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SWAG Act seeks to prevent federal agencies from using taxpayer money for publicity or propaganda. It specifically prohibits agencies from using funds to acquire or distribute "swag," which includes items like clothing, candy, or toys intended for promotion. Additionally, the bill bans the use of federal funds to create or use mascots to promote agency agendas. Agencies will be required to report their public relations and advertising spending in their annual budget justifications to Congress. Certain exceptions exist for recruitment, census efforts, and specific military-related items.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill mandates that agencies report their public relations and advertising spending in annual budget justifications to Congress.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+5
The bill prohibits federal agencies from spending funds on promotional items known as 'swag' and the use of mascots.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+5
The act requires agencies to report public relations and advertising spending to Congress as part of their annual budget justifications.
The opposite
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?-1
The restriction on promotional items may limit certain non-monetary recognition tools available to agency-affiliated service members.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability: Under Section 3(b), each agency must report on their public relations and advertising spending as part of their annual budget justification to Congress, which may include a return on investment estimate.
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Reduced Wasteful Spending: Section 3(a)(1) prohibits agencies from using federal funds to purchase or distribute "swag," such as items like blankets, hats, or stuffed animals, intended for promotion.
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Limitation of Agency Promotion: Section 3(a)(2) prevents agencies from using federal funds to manufacture or use a mascot to promote an agency, organization, program, or agenda.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Loss of Recruitment Tools: Section 3(c)(1)(B) provides an exception for recruitment, but the primary prohibition in Section 3(a)(1) could impact the distribution of items used for recruitment of individuals seeking employment with the Federal Government.
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Bureaucratic Requirements: Section 3(d) requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue regulations within 180 days of the Act's enactment to carry out the new rules.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5Reduces Government Spending+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Union Workers+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits-1
- 1/28/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.