SWAG Act

The SWAG Act prohibits federal agencies from using taxpayer funds to purchase or distribute promotional items ("swag"), such as free hats, keychains, or candy, unless the spending directly supports the agency's mission with a measurable positive return on investment, aids military or federal job recruitment, or is used by the Census Bureau. It also bans agencies from using costumed characters (mascots) to promote programs, except for mascots declared U.S. property, used in military recruitment, or for military academy sports teams. Agencies must report their public relations and advertising spending - including estimated return on investment - to Congress annually as part of their budget requests. The bill aims to eliminate wasteful government spending on non-essential promotional materials by requiring justification for such expenditures.