National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. COLLINS of New York. Mr. Chairman, this amendment wrongly targets one of our best recruiting practices of the National Guard.

Motor sports sponsorship programs have helped the Guard add 400,000 new citizen soldiers since it was begun in 2007, many of whom were sworn in right at the track. Why would we want to cut something that's working?

Every season, the National Guard emblem is seen by millions on the hood of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s car, one of the most popular drivers during the last 10 years.

Since the National Guard is prohibited from advertising on broadcast television, motor sports sponsorships are one of the few ways the Guard can market to a national audience while still interacting with local communities.

This amendment takes a strong program proven valuable to our military readiness and arbitrarily cuts it for the sake of political posturing. This amendment does not save any money. It does not address any government excess or impropriety. It unnecessarily attacks our National Guard, and it shackles their best opportunity to recruit and retain the very best for national security.

As in the previous two defense authorization acts, I urge Members to hold strong and continue to oppose this amendment.

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