Tester slashes government advertising budget

Senator’s latest budget-cutting bill goes after government self-promotion

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester’s latest budget-cutting bill takes a bite out of the advertising budgets of federal government agencies.

Tester’s bill requires federal agencies to cut their advertising budgets by at least 50 percent. According to studies, the government spent nearly $1 billion on advertising in 2010. Tester’s bill could save more than $5.5 billion over ten years.

“Montanans and all Americans are making responsible decisions and cutting unnecessary spending,” Tester said. “Washington has to cut wasteful spending too, and advertising budgets are a good place to start.”

In 2010, the Defense Department spent nearly $550 million on advertising, while the Departments of Commerce and Health and Human Services spent nearly $225 million.

While noting that some advertising, such as military recruiting, is necessary, Tester called the overall size of the departments’ advertising budgets “unacceptable.”

Tester’s elimination of wasteful government spending includes introducing a bill earlier this week that targets a slush fund used by Speakers of the House after their tenures in officer are over.

Tester’s advertising bill