Ban federal funds from supporting military parades for personal celebrations or private interest?

Awaiting Vote

Bill Summary

This bill, also known as Halting All Parades for Presidents’ Yearly Birthdays, IT Risks Taxpayer Harm, Damages, And Your Budget Act, seeks to prohibit the use of federal funds for military parades and displays that are primarily intended for the birthday, personal milestones, or private interests of any individual, including U.S. presidents. Sponsor: Rep. Steve Cohen (Democrat, Tennessee, District 9)
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Opponents say

• "I think we, as the United States, have an amazing opportunity to tell a story of an institution that is older than our country itself. I believe very specifically that telling that story will directly lead to a recruiting boom that will fill up our pipeline for the coming years. And I believe when we are marketing budget we would spend to recruit those soldiers, I think our team believes that the investment of these dollars to tell that story will directly lead to a good measurable quantitative outcome for the Army." Source: U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll

• "I am proud to announce that we will be hosting a magnificent Parade to honor the United States Army’s 250th Birthday, on Saturday, June 14th, in Washington, D.C. For two and a half centuries, our brave soldiers have fought, bled, and died to keep us FREE, and now we will honor them with a wonderful Parade, one that is worthy of their service and sacrifice. Americans across the Nation are invited to attend." Source: President Donald Trump via Truth Social

• "You cannot put a price tag on patriotism. You cannot. And celebrating…the best army that has ever existed in the history of the planet deserves attention." Source: Rep. Derrick Van Orden (Republican, Wisconsin, District 3)

Proponents say

• "Donald Trump may imagine himself an all-powerful ruler, but he is a president, not a potentate, and the American people don’t pay tribute to him as if he were a king. Least of all do we waste taxpayer dollars burnishing his insatiable ego. This bill makes clear that any president, now or in the future, cannot make the public pay for his birthday entertainment or swell his covetous pride." Source: Rep. Steve Cohen (Democrat, Tennessee, District 9)

• "Let’s be clear: you’re not doing it to celebrate the Army’s birthday, you’re doing it to stroke Donald Trump’s ego. If you want to celebrate the Army’s birthday by spending $30 million, I would recommend you think about something along the lines of maybe spending that money on child care for military families. Perhaps tuition reimbursement for military families. There are lots of ways to celebrate the Army’s birthday without blowing it all on a parade." Source: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, Illinois)

• "Trump says that this parade is meant to celebrate 250 years of the Army, seemingly deflecting attention from the fact that he is organizing the parade on the date of his own birthday. But if Trump and his administration were truly interested in celebrating the service of 15.8 million veterans, 1.3 million in active duty, and more than 765,000 reservists, his administration would prioritize investing in the critical needs of this population. The money spent on this parade could fund care for thousands of homeless veterans or preserve hundreds of jobs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)." Source: Center for American Progress

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