Scouting America on the High Desert could see major impact from Secretary Hegseth’s potential funding cuts

(Adding video and quotes from Eagle Scout Chris Piper)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has drafted a memo to Congress with a plan to cut funding from Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting America has been around for more than 115 years.

According to NPR, Secretary Hegseth writes the organization has lost meritocracy and has become an organization designed to attacking "boy-friendly spaces."

Secretary Hegseth also claimed the organization has become genderless, and engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

KTVZ News asked Chris Piper, a local eagle scout, his thoughts. 

"I was actually disappointed when i heard that," Piper told KTVZ News. "I learned that, he was never in Scouts. He's never experienced scouting. he never has experienced what it means for a youth to be part of a group, and to build friendships, and to identify ways that you can improve as a person."

Members of the famed organization have included Presidents Ford, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama. As well as, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, just to name a few.

While the decision is not final, Piper told KTVZ, Central Oregon Scouts will see even greater financial problems. As 2 local chapters have already merged their councils due to a lack of funding. 

This has gotten significant push back from members on both sides of the aisle, with Pennsylvanian Republican Glenn Thompson calling it nearsighted.