U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) highlights the National Guard’s since discontinued sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team in a report titled “America’s Most Wasted.’’
McCain’s office published the report Thursday, stating it spotlights “wasteful spending.
“It is the duty of every elected official to oversee government spending, cut-out duplication, and eliminate waste – a duty that must not be shirked at taxpayers’ expense,’’ McCain wrote in the opening of the report.
“I believe the America’s Most Wasted reports can serve as a wake-up call to Congress and help the American people demand an end to wasteful government spending once and for all.’’
The National Guard announced Aug. 6, 2014, that it would not sponsor Earnhardt’s team or Graham Rahal’s IndyCar team because of “significantly constrained resources and the likelihood of further reductions.’’ McCain’s report stated that the National Guard spent a total of $32.2 million with the sponsorship of Earnhardt’s team and $12.7 million with the sponsorship of Rahal’s team.
McCain is no stranger to NASCAR. He was the honorary starter for the 2007 Coca-Cola 600, attended a Cup race at New Hampshire in Sept. 2008 while campaigning for President and served as grand marshal for the fall Phoenix race in 2009.
McCain’s report also stated that the National Guard spent an additional $4.2 million on deals with teams in the NFL, Major League Baseball, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, along with the Tiger Woods Deutsche Bank Professional Golf Association Championship and the Alaskan Iron Dog snowmobile race.
You can read McCain’s full report here.