Despite $13 Trillion Debt, Washington Attempts to Spend Taxpayer Money to Enshrine “Billy Beer” and Other Billy Carter Paraphernalia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) fought to ensure American taxpayer dollars aren’t spent to support the Billy Carter Service Station Museum. 

During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting, Senator Barrasso offered an amendment to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Expansion Act of 2009. His amendment would prevent the inclusion of the Billy Carter Service Station Museum from being made part of a national park.

After Senator Barrasso offered his amendment, Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) pulled the bill from consideration.  It is unclear when the bill will receive a vote.  Senator Barrasso will continue to fight to ensure that no taxpayer dollars are used to support the Billy Carter Gas Station.

Senator Barrasso delivered the following statement regarding his amendment:

“Mr. Chairman, my amendment would prevent the inclusion of the Billy Carter Service Station Museum from being made part of a national park.

“Under this legislation, the President Carter National Historic Site would expand by 30 acres at a cost of $17 million over five years.  That includes $10 million for land acquisition.

“The expanded historic site would then become a national historic park.

“The Billy Carter Service Station Museum is a central piece of this government expansion.

“The Billy Carter Service Station was a gas station run by President Carter’s brother, Billy Carter.

“The museum is housed in the gas station itself, with old gasoline pumps and stacked tires outside.

“According to the City of Plains Georgia’s website for the museum, visitors can see up close various items, including colorful articles from Carter’s closet, commendations from around the world, press coverage from the 1970s and 80s, and ‘Billy Beer’ paraphernalia.

“The Los Angeles Times posed the question best – ‘In the age of the $787-billion stimulus package, it is, perhaps, a modest question:  Should the American taxpayer foot the bill to enshrine the gas station run by the late Billy Carter?’

“I believe the answer is no. I urge the adoption of my amendment.”

###