CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE
BEER AND WINE SALES ON MILITARY BASES (6/3/98)
The House of Representatives recently included a provision in the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization bill that asks the department to conduct a survey regarding beer and wine sales at military commissaries.
BACKGROUND
Beer and wine sales are currently permitted on in military base exchanges (which are like big department stores) and prohibited in base commissaries (which are supermarkets). The House provision directs the DOD to survey shoppers about their preference. After the survey, the Secretary of Defense could then allow a pilot program at seven bases before potentially expanding sales to all bases. This could increase the by 70 percent the number of military stores that sell beer and wine.
The Pentagon opposes allowing beer and wine sales at commissaries because, according to a spokesman, they have "a deglamorization program for the use of alcohol and it's very important we set the right tone." Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), a member of the House National Security Committee, said it's a bad idea for the military to further encourage access to items that may well disrupt discipline.
The House passed the reauthorization bill, HR 3616 in May. The Senate is currently considering the legislation and will most likely take action in June.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard -- 202/224-3121 -- and ask for your senators' offices. Or e-mail your senators: The U. S. Senate.
Tell them:
you oppose efforts to increase the availability
and sale of alcoholic beverages on military bases.
Health-related problems associated with alcohol
consumption cost the military $557 million in
Fiscal Year 1995. Lost productivity on the job
cost an additional $13 million.
The Pentagon opposes easier access to alcohol on
military bases because it is important to set the
right tone and maintain readiness.
If you have any questions, please call the Public Policy Office via e-mail at publicpolicy@ncadd.org.