Ed. Note: The following is a news release provided by the office of Representative Steve Knight.

Representative Steve Knight, CA-25, announced his opposition to benefit changes for veterans and military families, officials said Friday.

The letter, which was addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, is in response to language in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2016 that would require the Department of Defense to develop a plan for privatizing commissaries and conduct a privatization test at five of the largest commissaries.

“As a son of an Air Force Test Pilot and a Veteran of the US Army, I can say firsthand that commissaries are a vital part of life for military families,” said Representative Knight. “Making sweeping changes to the system would be both misguided and harmful.”

The letter lays out several reasons for the opposition, including higher prices on groceries and elimination of crucial products for military families. The letter goes on to state that the move would be a “loss of a cherished benefit that is enjoyed by 95% of the active force.”

“Congress needs to look for ways to make our military operations more efficient and cost-effective, but this is undoubtedly the wrong path.” continued Knight.

The letter, signed by five Members of Congress and one Senator, was sent on Friday afternoon.