CNN reported Jan. 26 that Bush, responding to reports that agencies had paid to get favorable press coverage, said, "I expect my cabinet secretaries to make sure that that practice doesn't go forward. There needs to be independence. All our cabinet secretaries must realize that we will not be paying ... commentators to advance our agenda. Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet."

Democrats, meanwhile, introduced the Federal Propaganda Prohibition Act of 2005, which would codify current federal appropriations rules making it illegal for the government to use taxpayer money to fund "covert propaganda campaigns." The measure, supported by top Democratic leaders in the House, would also require agencies to fully disclose to Congress all spending on public relations, advertising, and polling contracts.

A Democratic committee report found that the Bush administration spent $88 million on public-relations contracts in 2004, up 128 percent from 2000. "While not all public-relations spending is illegal or inappropriate, this rapid rise in public-relations contracts at a time of growing budget deficits raises questions about the priorities of the administration," the report said.

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