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McCollum Commends Army’s Decision to Stop Wasting Taxpayer Dollars on NASCAR Sponsorships

July 10, 2012

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2012

Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

Washington, DC – Today, the Army announced that it would no longer sponsor the Stewart-Haas Racing, which includes racecar driver Ryan Newman. A longtime NASCAR sponsor, the Army had been with Newman at Stewart-Haas Racing when the team began three years ago. In her position on the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) has been urging the Department of Defense to stop spending millions of taxpayer dollars on professional sponsorships. Although the military is using this money for recruitment purposes, facts indicate that professional sports sponsorships weren’t effective.

“By ending its sponsorship of NASCAR, the Army made the right move to eliminate a wasteful program and protect taxpayer dollars – which has been my goal all along,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “Congress is facing a very difficult budget environment, and I want taxpayer dollars protected – even at the Pentagon. I applaud the Army’s decision to terminate its funding of NASCAR. The Army now joins the Navy and Marine Corps in terminating its NASCAR partnership.”

“I will continue to work to save taxpayer dollars by ending all of the Pentagon’s multi-million dollar professional sports sponsorships of motor racing, bass fishing and ultimate fighting,” concluded Congresswoman McCollum.

This year, the Army spent $16 million on professional sports sponsorships. Total spending by the Pentagon on all sports sponsorships – including motor racing, bass fishing and ultimate fighting – is over $80 million.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations
and Budget Committees.

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