Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., an Eagle Scout, co-sponsored a Senate bill today that would allow the Pentagon to continue sponsoring the Boy Scouts of America.

“The Boy Scouts of America is the largest and one of the oldest organizations in the nation, and across the world. They teach character, a sense of community and a respect for public service,” said Enzi. “A lawsuit in this instance is not the answer. It will only serve the purpose of taking away a resource from a very valuable institution that teaches young boys and men to respect and give back to their communities. This lawsuit does not prove a point, it only hampers the ability of a good organization whose sole purpose is to teach life skills to boys at a very impressionable time in their lives.”

The bill comes on the heels of an announcement by the Pentagon stating it would cease its sponsorship of the Boy Scouts of America, leaving 422 of 120,000 scout troops across the nation without sponsorship. A recent lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claims that the sponsorship of the Boy Scouts by the Pentagon or any other government agency is unconstitutional because the Boys Scouts require its members to swear an oath to God. According to the ACLU, the Pentagon's sponsorship is violating the separation of church and state.

Individuals and organizations sponsor troops by providing money for scouts to participate in activities and many sponsors also provide facilities for the scouts to use.

In response to the Pentagon’s announcement, Enzi and other senators proposed a bill that would prohibit any federal agency from providing less support for a youth organization than it has during the previous four years. This legislation would allow the Department of Defense to continue support for the activities of the Boy Scouts.

In Wyoming there are two Boy Scout troops sponsored by the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. When those sponsorships are up in the spring the Boy Scout troops will look for new sponsors.

The Pentagon’s settlement with the ACLU does not prohibit off-duty government employees from supporting Boy Scout troops on their own time. The Boy Scouts will still have access to any military facilities that are currently made available to other non-governmental organizations.

A similar bill has been introduced in the House.