PARADE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2919

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-14: 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

2025-06-06T14:17:56Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The PARADE Act (H.R. 2919) aims to prevent the use of federal funds for parades that specifically honor or commemorate the current U.S. President, sponsored by certain government entities. It seeks to limit taxpayer money from being spent on events perceived as personal tributes rather than broader national celebrations.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is officially named the "Preventing Allocation of Resources for Absurd Defense Expenditures Act" or "PARADE Act."
• Funding Prohibition: No funds appropriated or made available to the Department of Defense (DoD), the White House, or the Executive Office of the President (EOP) can be used for a "covered parade."
• Definition of Covered Parade: This refers to any parade that:
• Is sponsored by the DoD, White House, or EOP; and
• Specifically commemorates or pays tribute to the current President (as opposed to general military or national events).

The bill was introduced on April 14, 2025, by Representative Veasey and referred to the House Committees on Armed Services and Oversight and Government Reform.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This legislation introduces a targeted ban on federal funding for parades that directly honor the sitting President, which was not explicitly prohibited under prior law.
• It builds on Congress's constitutional authority to control federal spending (known as the "power of the purse") but adds specificity to restrict executive branch expenditures on potentially politicized events, without altering broader rules on military parades or ceremonial activities.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The DoD, White House, and EOP would face restrictions on planning or funding presidential tribute parades, potentially redirecting resources to other defense or operational priorities and requiring stricter oversight of event budgets.
• On Citizens: Taxpayers could benefit from reduced spending on non-essential events, avoiding the use of public funds for what some might view as partisan displays; however, it could limit public access to certain ceremonial events if they qualify as "covered."
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it might subtly affect perceptions of U.S. military use in domestic politics, potentially signaling a commitment to non-partisan governance abroad.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of Defense (DoD): Directly restricted in using its budget for sponsoring such parades, affecting military planning and resources.
• White House and Executive Office of the President (EOP): Limited in organizing or funding events that tribute the current President, impacting executive ceremonial functions.
• Taxpayers and Congress: Gain indirect influence through enforced fiscal accountability, with committees like Armed Services and Oversight playing key roles in enforcement.
• Military Personnel: Could see reduced involvement in domestic parades focused on the President, preserving focus on national defense roles.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces congressional oversight of executive spending by prohibiting specific uses of appropriated funds, enforceable through budget reviews and potential legal challenges if violated (e.g., via audits or court injunctions).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress exclusive power over federal appropriations, while respecting separation of powers by not interfering with the President's general authority over ceremonies—only targeting tribute-specific events.
• Political: May spark debates on the politicization of the military or executive events, potentially influencing future administrations' parade planning; it could be viewed as a check against excessive personalization of public resources, though critics might argue it limits presidential discretion without broad consensus.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-14: 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.
• 2025-04-14: 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.
• 2025-04-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Preventing Allocation of Resources for Absurd Defense Expenditures Act — issued 2025-04-14 — PDF (2 pages)