Tag Archives: defense appropriations bill

US House Votes to Ban Same Sex Marriage on Military Bases

The US House successfully passed (243-166) an amendment to the 2013 Defense Appropriations Bill (a funding mechanism, separate from the National Defense Authorization Act) that would ban homosexual marriages on US military bases.  (By contrast, the amendment to ban military sponsorships of sports team failed.)

Given the recent history of conference committees and the Democrat-controlled Senate, it is unlikely the amendment will survive to the final bill.

Via the ADF.

Army to End NASCAR Sponsorship

The US Army has announced it will end its decade-long NASCAR sponsorship after this year.  The move has been praised by Betty McCollum (D-Minn), who has put forward amendments for at least two years attempting to strip the military’s ability to sponsor professional sports.  For its part, the military generally considers such exposure good for recruiting.  For the record, the Army will still be sponsoring a car in the National Hot Rod Association.

In his tradition of revising history, Michael Weinstein will likely claim this as a victory in his organization’s efforts to keep religious faith out of the military — not that Weinstein’s position has ever been consistent.

Military NASCAR Sponsorships on Chopping Block Again

In what seems to be an annual event, another effort has been made in Congress to ban the Defense Department’s ability to sponsor teams or players in professional sporting events.

The $608 billion defense bill that passed the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday includes an amendment to prohibit Pentagon spending on NASCAR, professional fishing and professional wrestling events.

US Rep Betty McCollum (D-Minn) proposed the Read more

House Passes Defense Bill with Homosexual Marriage Restriction

The US House of Representatives passed the 2012 Defense Appropriations bill last week.  (The previously-passed Defense Authorization Act ‘authorizes’ the military, while the Appropriations Act funds it.)  It included an amendment affecting funding for Chaplain training, intended to prohibit them from performing ‘homosexual marriage’ ceremonies in military chapels, regardless of state law.  It was intended to ensure military policy remained Read more