3 LAPS TO GO: Well, THAT Clears the Air! McCain Revs Up For Congress' September Sprint

Arizona Senator John McCain (R-AZ) is a known fan of just about all things sporting (and, semi-sporting). So, it should come as no surprise that his first official act in returning to Congress this week was to sign on as a co-sponsor of the RPM Act of 2016!

(photo from Fox Sports)

The cleverly-acronymed bill is more completely known as the "Recognizing and Protecting Motorsports Act of 2016" and was introduced by North Carolina Republican Richard Burr back in March. After a couple of pit stops, the bill snagged McCain and two other Senators yesterday as co-sponsors, bringing the almost bi-partisan crew to 26 in time to step on the gas to cross the finish line before this Congress adjourns following the election.

Oh yeah, were you wondering what exactly the RPM Act does? Simple, it would exempt motor vehicles from the anti-tampering measures of the Clean Air Act IF it is SOLELY used for competition.

Questions abound: Does that mean you cannot test it out or run practice laps with it? And, could the Senator modify his campaign's car and declare the entire election season as a competition? (Attention, Congressional candidate Biggs.) Alas, we were not motivated enough to check to see if the Clean Air Act has a definition for "competition.

We were motivated enough, however, to check to see if McCain's general election opponent had also co-sponsored the identical House bill. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) has not, although occasional ally Rep. Paul Gosar has (R-CD4). (The only other AZ Rep. co-sponsoring.)





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