SWAG Act

The "Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government Act," or SWAG Act, aims to restrict federal agencies from using taxpayer funds for certain publicity and propaganda activities. It specifically prohibits agencies from using Federal funds to purchase, acquire, or distribute promotional items, broadly defined as swag , which includes various tangible products like clothing, keychains, and stress balls. The bill also forbids the use of Federal funds to manufacture or employ mascots for promoting an agency, organization, program, or agenda. However, the legislation provides several exceptions to these prohibitions. Agencies may distribute swag if it supports their mission, generates a positive return on investment , or is used for military or federal employment recruitment, or by the Census Bureau for its operations. Similarly, mascots are permitted if they are legally declared U.S. property, used for military recruitment, or support military academy athletic teams. Furthermore, the Act requires each agency to report its annual public relations and advertising spending to Congress, potentially including an estimate of the return on investment for these expenditures.