Republican senator goes to war on mascots designed to teach children about soil, pests and the US Mint A bill banning the mascots is part of the government’s plan to cut $2 trillion in federal spending.
The names of mascots on the hit list are “Champa Boom,” a kind of bear at the Department of Defense, “Sammy Soil,” at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, “Vin Vasive,” an insect at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, “Tracker,” a stuffed german shepherd, and “Agent Teddy” at Customs and Border Protection.
The bill, introduced by Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, seeks to eliminate mascots representing federal agencies like the “Mighty Minters,” a fox and bird at the U.S. Mint.
“You might mistake Washington for a very expensive kid’s birthday party, with federal employees playing dress up, appearing as mascots, and making coloring books,” said Ernst in a written statement.
Ernst announced the legislation, dubbed the Stop Wasteful Advertising by the Government (SWAG) Act, in a news release Thursday.
