Senate Backs Scouts' Use of Military Bases

ASSOCIATED PRESS ^ | July 26, 2005 | LIZ SIDOTI

[george76]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate voted Tuesday to allow U.S. military bases to continue to host Boy Scout events, responding to lawsuits and a federal court ruling aimed at severing relationships between the government and the youth group.

In a 98-0 vote, the Senate approved the provision continuing the hosting of Boy Scout events as part of massive bill setting Defense Department policy for next year. After the vote, Senate leaders decided to put off further debate and votes on the overall bill, probably until fall when Congress returns from a monthlong break.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., a former Boy Scout who sponsored the Senate provision, said it is necessary to push back on a spate of lawsuits to limit Boy Scout activities on government property. The provision adopted Tuesday says Boy Scouts should be treated the same as other national youth organizations

Frist said it "removes any doubt that federal agencies may welcome Scouts to hold meetings, go camping on federal property or hold scouting events and public forums" on government property.

In 1999, the ACLU of Illinois filed a lawsuit claiming the Pentagon's sponsorship of such Boy Scout activities violates the First Amendment.

The House in November overwhelmingly passed a nonbinding resolution that recognized the Boy Scouts organization for its public service efforts and condemned legal efforts to limit government ties to the organization that has 3.2 million members.

[bill1952]

Who were the two non votes?

[kromike]

I'll bet that John Kerry was one of 'em. Maybe Babs Boxer as the other?

[hophead]

Who were the 2 who did not vote? They need to get some letters.

[xzins]

The provision adopted Tuesday says Boy Scouts should be treated the same as other national youth organizations

Precisely.

If anyone is permitted to speak, then you've just opened the door for everyone to be permitted to speak. Equal treatment; equal access.....without regard to religion, race, etc., etc.

[hophead]

This is one thing that ticks me off. When ever there is a story that relates to a vote in the senate or Congress the bill number needs to be noted. That the only way I've found to see who voted which way.

[Ludicrous]

Craig (R-ID), Not Voting
Rockefeller (D-WV), Not Voting

this site has all the answers about congress:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SA01342:

[deport]

Who were the two non votes?

---

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_109_1.htm

You can look them up on the Senate web site Roll Call votes....

[hophead]

this site has all the answers about congress:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SA01342:



thanks for the info but without the bill number, how do you know where to go on this vast site. I have used it many times but only with the bill number.

And why am I not surprised that my two Senators from Maryland are not sponsors!!!

[pissant]

The Senate did something right? I'm going to faint!

[RonF]

Not Voting - 2
Craig (R-ID)
Rockefeller (D-WV)

[deport]

how do you know where to go on this vast site.

---

Why not just go to the Senate web site and look under roll call votes.....

[jrushing]

In a 98-0 vote, the Senate approved the provision continuing the hosting of Boy Scout

I'm glad that it passed but I wish the the Dems had voted honestly instead of a "cover-up" vote.
The ACLU-Dems would love to see the Boy Scouts go down in flames.