House defends military spending on NASCAR

WASHINGTON -- The House voted last week to defend U.S. military sponsorship of NASCAR and other motorsports against an effort to cut spending by more than half for the programs.

Lawmakers voted 167-260 to kill an amendment by Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn. It would have cut spending on motorsports from $63 million to $20 million.

"With our nation in a fiscal crisis, I can't imagine anyone wanting to spend more than $20 million for taxpayer-funded racing teams," McCollum said. "Those millions of tax dollars buy decals -- big stickers -- on race cars. They pay for multimillion-dollar race contracts for millionaire race car drivers and racing team owners."

Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., said spending on NASCAR is a "recruiting tool" that the Army expects will help attract 28,700 prospects and give recruiters access to 182 schools through its sponsorship.

"The recruiting for our programs that are successful ought to be continued and should not be denied for whatever the reason that someone objects to using the money for sponsoring race car vehicles," Young said.

Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Joe Heck, R-Nev., voted against the spending cut.

Debate took place as the House considered and passed a 2012 spending bill for the Department of Defense. It provides $530.5 billion in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The sum was $17 billion more than what is being spent this year, but $8.9 billion less than requested by President Barack Obama for next year.

MILITARY BANDS TARGETED

McCollum also argued for cuts in funding for military bands. She proposed to reduce spending from $324.8 million to $200 million for what she counted as 154 performing bands and more than 5,000 full-time musicians.

"We all enjoy listening to military bands and cherish the traditions of military music," McCollum said. "But at a time of fiscal crisis, $200 million must be enough for ceremonial music, concerts, choir performance, and country music jam sessions."

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., defended the spending, saying musicians also are trained as security guards as their "go to war mission."

"The Department of Defense strongly believes that military bands are vital to recruiting, retaining and community relations, and that they provide patriotic, inspirational music to instill in soldiers, sailors and airmen the will to fight and win, and foster the support of our citizens and promote national interests," Frelinghuysen said.

The House agreed to the McCollum amendment, 226-201. Heck voted for the spending cut. Berkley voted against it.

MILITARY SAME-SEX MARRIAGES

During debate, the House voted to prevent chaplains from performing same-sex marriages on military bases after repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

In May, Navy Chief of Chaplains Rear Adm. Mark Tidd issued -- and soon thereafter rescinded -- a memo advising chaplains that they could officiate same-sex, civil marriages on military bases in states where same-sex marriages are legal.

Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., said the amendment he offered would ensure that the policy would not be reinstated.

While don't ask, don't tell, which has prohibited gays from serving openly, is being reversed, Huelskamp said, instructing chaplains they can perform same-sex marriages "goes above and beyond" simple repeal.

Speaking against the amendment, Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., said it would delay repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

"Our service members deserve the right to serve their country no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation," Dicks said.

The Huelskamp amendment was approved, 236-184. Heck voted for it. Berkley voted against it.

MORE LIBYA FRUSTRATION

House members remain frustrated over continued U.S. involvement in Libya but sent mixed messages on the military mission in a series of votes last week.

Lawmakers voted 225-201 to bar the Pentagon from providing military equipment and training to rebel forces battling Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said he sponsored the amendment because "we are engaged in an illegal and certainly un­authorized conflict."

Dicks urged lawmakers to vote against the amendment, saying that unilateral withdrawal from Libya "could materially harm our relationship with NATO, which is also playing a major role in this."

Heck voted for the amendment. Berkley voted against it.

The House later killed an amendment by Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., to cut off funding for military operations against Libya as of Oct. 1. That vote was 199-229.

Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., said the amendment would prevent the United States from taking part in nonlethal missions such as search and rescue, surveillance, intelligence gathering and consultation with other countries about Libya.

Heck voted for the amendment. Berkley voted against it.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.