WASHINGTON, DC—Today, after Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s office threatened to end the U.S. military’s decades-long relationship with Scouting America, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Ending the military’s ties with Scouting America would be shortsighted and harmful to our nation’s long-term goals. For more than a century, Scouting America has helped shape young Americans who are grounded in duty, leadership, and love of country. The Scouts have provided one of the strongest pipelines into military and public service our nation has ever known.

“Secretary Hegseth’s notion that scouting is weakened because young women are given the chance to participate is shameful and false. Every Scout still wears the same flag on their sleeve and lives out the same timeless values, ethics, and morals that have always defined the organization. Scouting America produces exactly the kind of young men and women we need.

“Any attempt to threaten or politicize that legacy over personal cultural grievances is misguided and undermines a partnership that has long benefitted military families, readiness, and national security. We should be strengthening institutions that prepare young Americans to serve, not using the weight of the Pentagon to wage ideological fights against them.”