Should Military Parades be Prohibited if They Have a Negative Impact on Readiness? (H.R. 4982)

What is H.R. 4982?

(Updated December 10, 2018)

This bill — the Preparedness Before Parades Act — would prohibit the Dept. of Defense (DOD) from carrying out a large-scale military parade unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that the parade will have no effect on military readiness or budgetary needs due to the diversion of personnel and equipment or the financial costs. The government of any municipality where the parade is to be conducted would have to approve it at least 90 days before the parade. At least 50 percent of the parade’s cost would have to be paid for using funds appropriated to the Executive Office of the President.

Argument in favor

The U.S. military has been short of resources after more than a decade and a half of war, and holding a large scale military parade would have a detrimental impact on readiness. The president’s office should have to pay for half of the parade’s cost.

Argument opposed

Holding a military parade would divert a small fraction of the U.S. military’s vast resources and budget — it wouldn’t negatively impact readiness. The president’s office shouldn’t have to foot half the bill for the parade.

Impact

The military; the Secretary of Defense; and the president.

Cost of H.R. 4982

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced this bill to block President Donald Trump’s proposed military parade if it negatively affects the readiness of our armed forces:

“After more than a decade and a half of combat and years of unnecessary budget dysfunction, we are stretching our military to the breaking point. I have severe concerns about the cost, diversion of resources, and effect on readiness of a large-scale parade seemingly conceived only to please the whims of the President. The best way to honor our men and women in uniform is by supplying the training, equipment, and support they need to succeed on the battlefield and get them back home safely. This bill ensures our military leaders are consulted and that any parades do not distract from their critical missions.”

This legislation has the support of five cosponsors in the House, all of whom are Democrats.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) Press Release
  
• Washington Examiner