PRSA president: Bring on the Senate inquiry into PR

Twice in the past year there have been investigations into public relations spending by the federal government. The most recent was launched in late February by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D–Mo.) and Sen. Rob Portman (R–Ohio), who have triggered a wide-ranging investigation of the federal government’s use of public relations and advertising services.

At the initial stages of this inquiry the subcommittee is seeking data for the past five years pertaining to “contracts for the acquisition of public relations, publicity, advertising, communications, or similar services” at 11 separate federal agencies.

We have our concerns, which we expressed directly with the senators and through an op-ed published in Roll Call.