H.R.757 - Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act; SWAG Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 757, also known as the Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act or SWAG Act, aims to prohibit federal agencies from using federal funds for publicity or propaganda purposes. This includes restrictions on purchasing or distributing swag and manufacturing or using mascots. The bill requires agencies to report on their public relations and advertising spending as part of their annual budget justification to Congress.
Expected Effects
The bill, if enacted, would likely reduce government spending on advertising, public relations, and promotional items. Agencies would need to justify their spending on these activities and demonstrate a positive return on investment. This could lead to a shift in how agencies communicate with the public, potentially relying more on informational materials and less on promotional items.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced government spending on non-essential items.
- Increased transparency in agency spending on public relations and advertising.
- Potential for agencies to focus on more effective communication strategies.
- May encourage agencies to demonstrate a clear return on investment for public relations activities.
- Could lead to a more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for agencies to cut back on important public awareness campaigns.
- Possible limitations on recruitment efforts for the Armed Forces and Federal Government.
- May hinder the ability of agencies to effectively communicate their mission and objectives to the public.
- Could create bureaucratic hurdles for agencies seeking to engage in public relations activities.
- Potential for reduced morale within agencies due to restrictions on promotional items and mascots.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on limiting government spending aligns with the general principle of fiscal responsibility, which can be argued as supporting the 'general Welfare' clause of the Constitution's preamble. However, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, and restrictions on government advertising could be viewed as potentially infringing upon this right, depending on the nature and extent of the restrictions. The bill includes exceptions for recruitment and census activities, which suggests an attempt to balance fiscal concerns with essential government functions.
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).