WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, led a bipartisan group of members in pushing the Department of Defense (DOD) to continue to support Scouting America. In December, Ranking Member Subramanyam and his colleagues outlined concerns over reports that the military was considering cutting ties with Scouting America, including withdrawing support from the National Jamboree.

Today they followed up with new concerns about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's February 27th video that "officially put Scouting America on notice." The video lays out new requirements in an evaluation after six months and states the Department was "very seriously considering ending our support of scouting altogether."

The members said, "Our constituents and federal statute demand unconditional support for Scouting America, and we strongly urge the Department to continue this partnership beyond the six-month deadline. Cutting this partnership could impact the thousands of young Americans across our district who participate, and as President Trump himself said in 2017, the 'United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts.'"

The members ended their letter to Secretary Hegseth urging the Department to continue its support of Scouting America and noting highlights of the century-long partnership between Scouting America and the DOD.

In addition to Ranking Member Subramanyam, Representatives Bacon, Bishop, Goodlander, Horsford and Walkinshaw signed the letter to Secretary Hegseth.

The letter can be found below and here.

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Dear Secretary Hegseth,

On December 5, 2025, we outlined our concerns over reports that the military was considering cutting ties with Scouting America, including withdrawing support from the National Jamboree. Our letter highlighted the century of partnership between Boy Scouts, Scouting America and the military, including the values of citizenship, service, and leadership that it instills in the next generation. Moreover, our letter highlighted the successful scouting pipeline into the military - as evidenced by the number of West Point cadets with Eagle Scout badges. But, as of March 16, 2026, we have yet to receive a response.

We now write not only to follow up on the December 5, 2025 letter, but to raise additional concerns following your February 27, 2026 video, in which the Department of War "officially put Scouting America on notice." The video makes the Department's future support for Scouting America conditioned on meeting new requirements in an evaluation after six months. In the video, it is stated that the Department was "very seriously considering ending our support of scouting altogether."

Our constituents and federal statute demand unconditional support for Scouting America, and we strongly urge the Department to continue this partnership beyond the six-month deadline. Cutting this partnership could impact the thousands of young Americans across our districts who participate, and, as President Trump himself said in 2017, the "United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts." Additionally, the Support our Scouts Act, passed in the 109th Congress, prohibits the reduction of support from year-to-year.

As noted in the social media video, six Scouts have been elected President. Eleven of the twelve people who walked on the moon were Scouts. Once again, we strongly urge you to continue the Department's support of Scouting America.

We look forward to your response.