This was a vote on an amendment by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) that would have eliminated all federal funding ($7 million) for the Defense Department’s sponsorship of NASCAR. This amendment was offered to a continuing resolution funding the federal government through September 2011, and cutting $61 billion in federal funding for many government programs.

McCollum urged support for her amendment: “I would urge my Republican colleagues who are cutting homeless veterans, cutting law enforcement officers, cutting firefighters, why not cut some real waste and at the same time free NASCAR from its dependency on the American taxpayer? This amendment gives members a clear choice: a vote to end wasteful spending or a vote to keep wasting the American people's money. I urge a "yes" vote to end the funding to NASCAR.”

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) opposed the amendment: “Effective recruiting is critical to the military's ability to attract new qualified military men and women and maintain our all-volunteer force. The Department of Defense uses its sponsorship of NASCAR and other sporting events to create awareness of the different military services and the unique advantages and programs that come with serving our nation. Quite frankly… it's a great public-private partnership. NASCAR sponsorship has proven to be a very cost-effective recruiting tool, with some estimates stating that for every dollar the military puts in NASCAR sponsorship, it gets $4 in advertising through television, merchandise, and other outlets. We believe the dollars are well spent.”

The House rejected this amendment by a vote of 148-281. Voting “yea” were 118 Democrats—including a majority of progressives—and 30 Republicans. 209 Republicans and 72 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House rejected an amendment that would have eliminated all federal funding ($7 million) for the Defense Department’s sponsorship of NASCAR.