
Senate DOGE Caucus aims to slash $1.8 billion in government spending on promotional items, sparking debate on fiscal responsibility.
Key Takeaways
- Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst reintroduces the SWAG Act to cut $1.8 billion in discretionary spending.
- The initiative targets non-essential promotional items like candy, stuffed animals, and comic books.
- Federal PR budgets have more than doubled from $780 million to $1.8 billion annually between 2018 and 2023.
- The bill would defund mascots not authorized by Congress, sparing only iconic figures like Smokey the Bear.
- Critics argue the spending is wasteful and diverts funds from serving the American people.
SWAG Act: Tackling Government Waste
In a bold move to curb government spending, Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has reintroduced the Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government (SWAG) Act. This legislation aims to slash $1.8 billion from discretionary spending, specifically targeting non-essential promotional merchandise. The focus is on items such as candy, stuffed animals, and comic books, which Ernst and her supporters view as unnecessary expenditures of taxpayer money.
DOGE goes after $1.8 billion 'propaganda' fund for mascots, comic books and candy https://t.co/pyqCYvfV5z pic.twitter.com/7TII6RESew
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) January 23, 2025
The SWAG Act is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce wasteful government practices. This effort aligns with plans outlined by Donald Trump and Elon Musk to streamline government operations and cut unnecessary spending. The bill not only aims to eliminate funding for these promotional items but also requires government staff to track the return on investment for advertising programs, ensuring accountability for public relations expenditures.
Targeting Mascots and Promotional Items
One of the key provisions of the SWAG Act is the defunding of mascots not explicitly authorized by Congress. This measure would affect various agency mascots, including the Department of Agriculture’s “Vin Vasive” and the Department of Homeland Security’s “Agent Teddy” and “Tracker.” However, iconic figures like Smokey the Bear and Woodsy Owl, which have congressional approval, would remain unaffected.
“‘You might mistake Washington for a very expensive kid’s birthday party, with federal employees playing dress up, appearing as mascots, and making coloring books,'” Ernst remarked, highlighting the perceived frivolity of such expenditures.
The bill’s scope extends beyond mascots, targeting a wide array of promotional items including fidget spinners, koozies, coloring books, and even a CDC comic book aimed at educating children about viruses. Critics argue that these items, while potentially serving educational or outreach purposes, represent an unnecessary drain on taxpayer resources.
Fiscal Responsibility and Government Efficiency
The push for the SWAG Act comes in response to a significant increase in federal PR budgets, which have grown from $780 million to $1.8 billion annually between 2018 and 2023. This dramatic rise has raised concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer money and the prioritization of government spending.
“‘I am going to crash the party and bag this costly swag. Misbehaving bureaucrats need to stop wasting tax dollars trying to refurbish their bad reputation, and focus on serving the American people.'” Ernst stated, emphasizing her commitment to fiscal responsibility.
The SWAG Act is just one part of Ernst’s broader efforts to address government spending and efficiency. She has also been active in proposing measures for telework monitoring and other initiatives aimed at improving government operations. As the debate over federal spending continues, the SWAG Act represents a concrete step towards reducing what its proponents see as unnecessary and wasteful expenditures, redirecting funds to more critical areas of government service.
Sources:
- DOGE goes after $1.8 billion ‘propaganda’ fund for mascots, comic books and candy
- Senate DOGE caucus takes aim at $1.8B government fund for candy, comic books: ‘Purely propaganda’
- DOGE Targets Insane Budget Earmarked for Candy, Blankets, Comic Books, and Stuffed Animals