SWAG Act

This bill would stop federal agencies from using tax dollars to hand out free promotional items (“swag”) or to create or use mascots to promote an agency or program. “Swag” means products given away only to advertise or promote the agency or its programs. Agencies would also have to report each year how much they spend on public relations and advertising, and the White House budget office would set rules to carry this out within about six months of the bill becoming law.

There are a few exceptions. Spending on swag could be allowed if it clearly supports the agency’s mission and shows a positive return, for recruiting people to join the Armed Forces or work for the federal government, or to help the Census do its count. Mascots could still be used for military recruiting, by military academy sports teams, or if a mascot is already official U.S. property, and any exception also applies if another law specifically allows it.

• Who is affected: Federal agencies and entities that spend money on advertising, public relations, swag, or mascots.
• What changes: No federal funds for swag or promotional mascots, with limited exceptions; agencies must report PR and ad spending each year.
• When: New rules would be set within 180 days after it becomes law.