Coalition letter to the HASC Personnel Subcommittee leadership in support of the Military Patron Protection Act (MPPA)
Dear Chairman Coffman and Ranking Member Speier,
As the Coalition representing the millions of patrons and beneficiaries of exchange and commissary programs, we write in support of the Military Patron Protection Act advanced by Congressman Walter Jones. This important legislation would put in place needed protections to safeguard these valuable earned benefits for service members and their families.
There are a number of changes to these benefits that have been made and are being considered that have a profound effect on the well-being and interests of the millions of patrons of these programs. Military patrons have invested billions of dollars from their own pockets for financing exchange and commissary construction programs, along with hundreds of millions of dollars annually to support on-base morale, welfare and recreation programs.
The Military Patron Protection Act would provide patrons with transparency and a much needed voice in the sourcing and application of this funding, how these benefits are structured going forward that effect their investments, and how patron financial contributions to these programs are being allocated. This legislation also would provide needed visibility for impacts on associated small and disadvantaged businesses, and a wide range of benevolent causes that are enabled through patronage of these programs. On behalf of the millions of service members, Guard and reserve, veterans, survivors, and military family members who rely on these critical benefits, we respectfully urge your favorable consideration of this legislation during your deliberations of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.
Sincerely,
The Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits