HR 2761119th CongressIn Committee

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act

Introduced: Apr 9, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 2761, the HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act, would prohibit the use of federal funds for planning, conducting, or supporting a military parade in the District of Columbia that is primarily intended to celebrate the birthday or personal milestone of an individual, including President Donald J. Trump. The bill frames parades as national or military-commemoration events, not personal celebrations, and it cites cost, safety, and infrastructure concerns as justification. It also offers guidance on alternative birthday celebrations and endorses sending birthday wishes through the U.S. Postal Service. If enacted, the measure would bar federal funding for any aspect of such a parade and would express the sense of Congress that public funds should not be used for personal glorification via military displays.

Key Points

1Prohibition of federal funds: Section 4 bars the obligation or expenditure of federal funds for planning, execution, security, transportation, or infrastructure for any military parade in DC that is primarily intended to celebrate a personal milestone or the birthday of any individual, including the President.
2Sense of Congress: Section 3 states that public funds should support well-being and security rather than displays of military force for personal glorification.
3Alternative celebrations: Section 5(a) urges President Trump to consider non-military birthday celebrations (e.g., cake, golf, bingo night).
4Presidential birthday wishes: Section 5(b) promotes issuing birthday wishes to the President via the U.S. Postal Service, described as the Constitutionally authorized channel for personal correspondence, and notes “Happy Birthday” as a standard gesture.
5Findings and title: The bill’s findings reference cost concerns of a potential parade, road damage from heavy military equipment, prior DC reimbursement issues, and situate the measure within the broader context of a proposed personal birthday celebration on June 14, 2025.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Federal government programs and agencies involved in funding and organizing parades (e.g., Department of Defense, security agencies) and the District of Columbia’s local government, which would not receive federal support for such a parade.Secondary group/area affected: The President and individuals who might seek a personal birthday parade funded with federal dollars; taxpayers who would be protected from potential federal spending on personal celebrations.Additional impacts: Could influence planning around large public demonstrations in DC and shift resources toward non-military, non-personal commemorations. The bill also explicitly channels birthday communications through the USPS, which could affect how personal greetings are routed if such a celebration were contemplated.

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