A lawmaker from Pennsylvania does not agree with War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s proposal to sever ties with Scouting America.
Rep. Glenn “GT”Thompson (R-Pa.) is calling the proposal “nearsighted” while extolling the virtues of scouting, per The Hill.
Thompson is the Congressional Scouting Caucus’s House co-chairman.
“As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Scouting Caucus, I can think of no better recruitment tool for our military than the lessons acquired through Scouting,” Thompson said. “It would be nearsighted to uproot this decades long partnership.”
Hegseth drafted a memo proposing to cut ties with Scouting America — formerly known as Boy Scouts of America.
He said the organization has attacked attacks “boy-friendly spaces.”
Hegseth’s main criticisms involve the organization for being “genderless” and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion principle, per the memo, which has not been forwarded to lawmakers.
“The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys,” Hegseth wrote in the memo.
He is seeking for the Pentagon to pull logistical and medical aid to the National Jamboree. The jamboree is a flagship event hosted by Scouting America around every four years. Around 20,000 Scouts attend the event in West Virginia. He also said Scout meetings would no longer be allowed to take place at military facilities — both in the U.S. and abroad.
In response, Scouting America said it was “surprised and deeply saddened” by the potential change, especially with the organization’s “strong relationship” with the U.S. military.
It also disagreed with Hegseth’s claim the organization “was no longer a meritocracy.”
“This view is clearly uninformed,” the organization said. “Badges and ranks are not given, they are earned. Just ask any Eagle Scout.”
“Young men and young women alike thrive in Scouting,” it continued. “Scouts wear an American flag on their sleeves and swear a duty to God and country.”
The Congressional Scouting Caucus is co-chaired in the House by Thompson and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) and supports Scouting America on Capitol Hill.
“Scouting helps young men and women build character and confidence, while attaining skills that will help them succeed in all aspects of life,” Thompson said when he announced the resolution he and Bishop crafted celebrating the organization’s 115th anniversary since its incorporation. “I have been involved with Scouting for more than 50 years, including time spent as Scout, Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, and Distinguished Eagle.”
Said Scouting America had “a profound impact” on his sons and grandsons.
“Lessons taken from Scouting have helped young people from all walks of life become leaders,” he said.
