McCollum Applauds the Durham Herald-Sun's Call to End the Pentagon's Taxpayer Funded Sponsorship of NASCAR

For Immediate Release: July 12, 2012
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

Washington, DC – Today, the Durham Herald-Sun – based in Durham, North Carolina – ran an editorial calling for cuts to the Department of Defense’s taxpayer funded sponsorship of NASCAR racing saying “…they just do not represent a wise use of tax resources.”

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) has repeatedly lead legislative efforts to end taxpayer funded sports sponsorships for motorsports, professional bass fishing, and ultimate fighting. The Pentagon is spending over $80 million in 2012 on these sponsorships.

This week, the U.S. Army announced it will terminate its NASCAR sponsorship at the end of the current racing season. The Army has spent nearly $20 million in the past two years on its NASCAR sponsorship as part of its recruitment budget.

The National Guard continues to sponsor NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s racing team costing taxpayers $136 million over the past five years, including $26 million in 2012. USA Today reported on May 18, 2012 that this year Mr. Earnhardt’s sponsorship has resulted in over “24,800 individuals interested in joining,” of which 20 were qualified candidates and “none joined.”

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

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