With the election looming and recent threats against presidential candidates escalating, lawmakers are scrambling to ensure the US Secret Service has the resources it needs to keep these figures safe, The Associated Press reports.
The urgency is palpable, but the effectiveness of any quick fixes remains uncertain, especially with limited time before November.
The push for increased security comes on the heels of two high-profile incidents. In July, an assassination attempt was made against former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. Last weekend, Secret Service agents apprehended a man with a rifle near Trump’s Florida club, who was also reportedly planning to assassinate the GOP presidential nominee.
Both Democrats and Republicans have engaged in discussions with the agency this week to assess its needs. The House is set to vote on Friday on legislation that would require the Secret Service to apply the same security standards to major presidential and vice presidential candidates as they do to sitting presidents and vice presidents.
“We have a responsibility here in Congress to get down to the bottom of this to figure out why these things are happening and what we can do about it,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed this sentiment, urging the Secret Service to “get into a position where its protectees are shielded in the most maximum way possible.”
A bipartisan task force, established after the July shooting to investigate the security lapses and prevent future incidents, will likely expand its scope to include the Florida incident. The task force could be formally expanded by the House in the coming days.
Despite the increasing threats, the Secret Service maintained in a letter to lawmakers earlier this month that a funding shortfall was not the reason for the security lapse in July. However, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. acknowledged the agency’s “immediate needs” and is currently in talks with Congress.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), chairman of the spending subcommittee overseeing the Secret Service, stated that Congress is committed to ensuring any new funding will “help the situation between now and the inauguration.” He suggested potential uses for additional funds, including technology like drones, partnerships with other agencies, and overtime pay for agents.
It’s possible that Congress will include provisions for the Secret Service in a stopgap spending bill scheduled for next week. This could involve allowing the agency to spend money more quickly or providing emergency funds.
While the Secret Service asserts it is doing everything in its power, it has already reportedly increased Trump’s security to the level of President Biden and Vice President Harris. This could potentially make the proposed House legislation unnecessary, at least for now.
However, lawmakers remain insistent on ensuring Trump’s safety, especially after two attempted assassinations. Some Republicans advocate for a larger overhaul of the Secret Service, potentially involving agent reallocation, as a priority alongside funding.
