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119-hr-757119th Congress

SWAG Act

Sponsored By: Representative Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

Introduced

Summary

A federal ban on agency "swag" and mascots. This bill would stop agencies from using federal funds to buy, produce, or hand out promotional merchandise or mascots, and would add new spending reports and narrow exceptions tied to recruitment, census work, or proven return on investment.

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  • Agencies would no longer be allowed to spend federal dollars on promotional tangible items or mascots for public persuasion. They must report public relations and advertising spending in their annual budget justifications and may include an estimate of return on investment.
  • The public would see fewer agency-branded giveaways and mascots funded by taxpayers, though agencies can make limited exceptions when spending yields a positive ROI.
  • The Armed Forces recruiting efforts and Census Bureau operations get explicit exceptions, and mascots declared U.S. property are allowed. The Office of Management and Budget must write rules to implement the law within 180 days.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on federal swag and mascots

This bill would bar federal agencies from using federal money to make, buy, or give away "swag" or to make or use mascots to promote an agency, program, or agenda. "Swag" is defined as free tangible items used mainly for advertising and includes things like clothing, stickers, keychains, and toys. The ban would not apply when an agency can show a positive return on investment for mission-related programs. The bill would also allow exceptions for recruitment into the Armed Forces or federal jobs and for items the Census Bureau uses to do the census. Mascots declared U.S. property or used to recruit for the Armed Forces or to support a military academy athletic team would also be allowed. These rules would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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