New PARADE Act Bans DoD and White House Funds for Parades Celebrating the Sitting President

If you’ve ever wondered why taxpayer dollars end up funding certain events, the Preventing Allocation of Resources for Absurd Defense Expenditures Act—or the PARADE Act—is here to draw a clear line. This bill is short, sweet, and focused squarely on government spending accountability.

The 'No Party Fund' Rule

The PARADE Act prohibits the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Executive Office of the President (EOP) from using any of their appropriated funds for a specific type of event: the "covered parade." What makes a parade "covered"? It has to meet two criteria: first, it must be sponsored by the DoD or the White House, and second, its whole point must be to specifically celebrate or pay tribute to the current President (Sec. 2). Essentially, this closes the door on using the defense budget or the EOP's operating funds to throw a party specifically honoring the person currently holding the highest office.

Why This Matters for Your Wallet

For the average person juggling a mortgage and rising grocery costs, this bill is about fiscal responsibility. The money appropriated to the DoD and the EOP is meant for national security, defense operations, and running the government—not presidential tributes. By restricting these funds, the bill ensures that resources meant for things like maintaining military readiness or essential executive functions don't get diverted into what amounts to a personal political celebration. It’s a move toward ensuring that defense dollars stay focused on defense.

The Fine Print on Sponsorship

While the intent is clear—no taxpayer funds for presidential celebration parades—the bill does introduce a medium level of vagueness around the definition of a "covered parade." For instance, what if the military holds a large-scale event honoring the troops, and the President is the guest of honor and receives substantial tribute? The bill specifies the whole point must be to celebrate the President, which suggests that if the event has a primary military purpose, it might slip through. However, if the EOP heavily involves itself in organizing an event where the President is the centerpiece, the definition of "sponsors" could be debated. This means that while the spirit of the law is strong, future administrations might try to find creative ways to structure events to avoid the ban by adding secondary purposes.

Overall, the PARADE Act is a straightforward check on executive and defense spending, aiming to prevent the politicization of taxpayer funds. It ensures that the budgets meant for serious government operations are used for just that, not for throwing self-congratulatory street parties.