Proposal by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree passes House
 
The Commissary and Exchange at the Brunswick Naval Air Station will remain open under a proposal passed by the U.S. House today and written by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree.
 
“I’m working to keep the Commissary and Exchange open permanently but at least this buys us some more time,” Pingree said.  “We will use the extra time to work with the Navy and Department of Defense to show them how necessary it is to keep these services available to Active Duty, Reserve and retired military personnel.”
 
Pingree’s proposal requires the Department of Defense to keep the Commissary and Exchange open for six months beyond its scheduled March, 2011 closure (through September, 2011).  It was included as part of the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House today.  The Defense Act now goes to the Senate.
 
“The fact that Naval Air Station Brunswick has been selected for closure is no excuse for these heroes to go without the same programs their counterparts across the globe depend on,” Pingree said. “Many of the retirees in the Midcoast relocated there after their service specifically for the commissary and exchange programs; we must not abandon them now during these difficult economic times.”
 
Pingree has been actively pressuring the Department of Defense to maintain Commissary and Exchange services in the area and has discussed the issue numerous times with top DOD officials, including the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy.

Commissaries provide discounted groceries and an Exchange is similar to a low-cost department store.