Army bill keeps NASCAR recruiting

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WASHINGTON, July 19 (UPI) -- The House has removed language in the 2013 Department of Defense spending bill that would bar sponsorship of NASCAR events.

The original language would have prevented the Department of Defense from sponsoring NASCAR or other sporting events as a part of its recruitment efforts, The Hill reported.

The limitation was originally introduced by Reps. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., and Betty McCollum, D-Minn., while the bill was in committee. The amendment was ultimately struck down in a 216-202 vote Wednesday night after a lengthy debate in which Kingston said the Department of Defense spends $72 million supposedly for recruiting, while there is no way to measure the results.

"This program has no accountability," he said. "In February, our office ... asked the Pentagon, what are your hard numbers? If you're spending $72 million sponsoring major sport programs, what are you getting out of it?"

Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., countered even if the language was implemented, it would not save money.

"The biggest issue here is, this approach is not going to save a dime in the long run, because when recruitment goals aren't met ... the military pays out nearly $1 billion a year in extra recruitment bonuses to maintain needed recruitment numbers," she said.