GOP co-chair of Scouting Caucus calls Hegseth proposal to cut ties ‘nearsighted’
Republican Rep. Glenn Thompson (Pa.), the Congressional Scouting Caucus’s House co-chair, called Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s proposal to cut ties with Scouting America “nearsighted” in a statement to The Hill.
“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,” he said. “It would be nearsighted to uproot this decades long partnership.”
In a draft memo to Congress first reported by NPR, Hegseth proposed cutting ties with Scouting America — formerly known as Boy Scouts of America — and said it has become an organization that attacks “boy-friendly spaces.”
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Hegseth reportedly criticized the organization for being “genderless” and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion principles in the memo, which has not yet been sent to lawmakers.
“The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys,” Hegseth wrote.
He called for the Pentagon to pull logistical and medical aid to the National Jamboree, a flagship event hosted by Scouting America around every four years that brings up to 20,000 Scouts to West Virginia. He also said Scout meetings would no longer be allowed to take place at military facilities in the U.S. and abroad.
Scouting America said it was “surprised and deeply saddened” by the potential policy change, given the organization’s “strong relationship” with the U.S. military for over a century. It also pushed back against Hegseth’s claim in the memo that the organization “was no longer a meritocracy.”
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“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,” the organization continued. “Scouts wear an American flag on their sleeves and swear a duty to God and country.”
The Congressional Scouting Caucus — which includes several GOP representatives and is co-chaired in the House by Thompson and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) — supports Scouting America on Capitol Hill. Thompson and Bishop introduced a resolution earlier this year celebrating the organization’s 115th anniversary since its incorporation.
“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 in a press release announcing the resolution’s introduction. “I have been involved with Scouting for more than 50 years, including time spent as Scout, Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, and Distinguished Eagle.”
He added that the organization had “a profound impact” on the lives of his sons and grandsons. “Lessons taken from Scouting have helped young people from all walks of life become leaders,” he said.
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