H.R.2919 - Preventing Allocation of Resources for Absurd Defense Expenditures Act; PARADE Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2919, the "Preventing Allocation of Resources for Absurd Defense Expenditures Act" or the "PARADE Act," aims to prohibit the use of Department of Defense, White House, or Executive Office of the President funds for parades specifically commemorating or paying tribute to the current President. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 14, 2025, and referred to the Committees on Armed Services and Oversight and Government Reform.
The bill seeks to limit the expenditure of public funds on events that could be perceived as self-aggrandizing or politically motivated. It focuses on preventing the use of taxpayer money for parades that exclusively honor the sitting President.
By restricting funding for such parades, the bill intends to ensure fiscal responsibility and prevent the potential misuse of government resources for partisan purposes.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to prevent the Department of Defense, the White House, and the Executive Office of the President from using appropriated funds for parades specifically honoring the current President.
This would likely lead to a reduction in the number of such parades or require them to be funded through private sources. It could also lead to increased scrutiny of how government funds are used for events and ceremonies.
Ultimately, the bill aims to promote fiscal prudence and prevent the appearance of political favoritism in the use of public resources.
Potential Benefits
- Fiscal Responsibility: Prevents potential misuse of taxpayer funds for events that primarily serve to honor the President.
- Reduced Partisanship: Limits the potential for government-sponsored events to be perceived as partisan political rallies.
- Resource Allocation: Frees up funds for other Department of Defense or Executive Branch priorities.
- Public Perception: May improve public trust by demonstrating a commitment to responsible spending.
- Sets a Precedent: Establishes a clear policy against using government funds for self-aggrandizing events.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Morale Impact: Could be perceived negatively by some military personnel or supporters of the President who enjoy such displays of patriotism.
- Limits Presidential Discretion: Restricts the President's ability to commemorate achievements or milestones in a public and celebratory manner.
- Symbolic Value: Some may argue that these parades serve a symbolic purpose in honoring the office of the President and national pride.
- Unintended Consequences: The definition of "covered parade" could be interpreted in ways that unintentionally restrict other legitimate events.
- Increased Scrutiny: May lead to increased scrutiny of all government-sponsored events, potentially creating bureaucratic hurdles.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the principles of fiscal responsibility and limited government, which are generally consistent with the Constitution. While the Constitution does not explicitly address the issue of presidential parades, the power of Congress to appropriate funds (Article I, Section 8) gives it broad authority to determine how taxpayer money is spent. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or freedoms.
However, some might argue that restricting the President's ability to commemorate events could impinge on the executive branch's inherent powers. However, this argument is weak, as the bill only restricts the funding of such events, not the events themselves.
Overall, the bill seems constitutionally sound, falling within Congress's power of the purse and not violating any specific constitutional protections.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).