Amendment bans commercial use of Willow Grove

WASHINGTON (AP) - May 22, 2008 The Navy is leaving the site in Horsham Township, Montgomery County. Two members of Congress serving the area say their constituents got worried that the runways would be pressed into service for commercial cargo or passenger flights.

Reps. Allyson Schwartz and Patrick Murphy introduced an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to outlaw such use. The amendment, which passed the House on Thursday night, says the airfield can only be used to aid the mission of the installation.

The state is working to convert Willow Grove into a base for national defense, homeland security and emergency preparedness.