HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2761
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-03T20:04:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 2761 (titled the "Halting All Parades for Presidents' Yearly Birthdays, It Risks Taxpayer Harm, Damages, And Your Budget Act" or "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act"), aims to prevent the use of federal taxpayer money for a military parade in Washington, D.C., if it is mainly intended to celebrate the personal birthday or milestone of President Donald J. Trump. It emphasizes protecting public funds from being spent on events that resemble personal glorification rather than national or military purposes.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines reasons against such a parade, including:
- Military parades are typically for national events, not personal birthdays.
- A similar parade idea in Trump's first term was canceled due to high costs (over $92 million for the military and $21 million for D.C. public safety).
- Heavy vehicles could damage D.C. roads, leading to repair costs borne by taxpayers.
- References Trump's government efficiency efforts (e.g., "Department of Government Efficiency" or DOGE) and D.C.'s frequent lack of full reimbursement for federal events.
- Notes Trump's reported interest in a June 14, 2025, parade for his 79th birthday, coinciding with the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and Flag Day, but argues the Army has no plans for a D.C. parade and the event seems personal.
- Sense of Congress: States that federal funds should support public well-being and security, not personal displays of military force.
- Prohibition on Funds: Bans the obligation or spending of any federal money on planning, executing, securing, transporting, or supporting infrastructure for a D.C. military parade primarily for an individual's birthday or personal interest, specifically including President Trump.
- Alternative Celebrations: Encourages non-military birthday options like cake, golf, or bingo, and offers Congress's "Happy Birthday" wishes, suggesting Americans send cards via the U.S. Postal Service (a constitutionally authorized service for mail).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, targeted restriction on federal spending. It does not amend broad existing laws on military parades or federal appropriations but adds a specific prohibition against using funds for parades tied to personal celebrations by the president. Previously, no such explicit ban existed for this scenario, though general appropriations laws control federal spending and past parades (e.g., for inaugurations or victories) have occurred without this limitation.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and other federal entities (e.g., those handling security and transportation) would be restricted from allocating budgets to the prohibited parade, potentially saving millions in costs. It could redirect funds to other priorities like public security or military readiness.
- Citizens and Local Government: D.C. residents and taxpayers might avoid burdens from unreimbursed event costs, road damage, and public safety strains. Nationwide, it protects federal budgets from what the bill views as wasteful spending.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though canceling a high-profile military display could subtly affect perceptions of U.S. leadership or military pomp abroad; no explicit international elements are addressed.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- President Donald J. Trump: Directly targeted, as the bill prohibits funding for a parade linked to his personal celebration.
- U.S. Military and Department of Defense: Cannot use funds for the event, potentially limiting parade planning tied to the Army's anniversary.
- District of Columbia Government and Residents: Protected from financial and infrastructural burdens of hosting such an event.
- Federal Taxpayers: Benefit from safeguards against perceived misuse of public funds.
- Congress: Asserts oversight on spending, with committees like Armed Services and Oversight and Government Reform involved in review.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The prohibition is narrow and enforceable through appropriations control (Congress's constitutional power over federal spending under Article I, Section 9). It could face challenges if seen as overly specific to one individual, potentially raising equal protection concerns, but it aligns with Congress's authority to condition funds.
- Constitutional: Reinforces the Postal Service's role (Article I, Section 8) by promoting it for personal messages. No direct conflicts with executive powers, but it checks presidential influence over military displays.
- Political: Highlights partisan tensions over spending priorities and personal vs. public use of resources; the humorous tone (e.g., acronym, alternative suggestions) may underscore symbolic opposition but could undermine perceived seriousness. If passed, it sets a precedent for restricting funds based on event intent, influencing future executive requests for ceremonial events.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Halting All Parades for Presidents’ Yearly Birthdays, It Risks Taxpayer Harm, Damages, And Your Budget Act — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (4 pages)