WASHINGTON – Congress is considering increasing funding for the Secret Service next What did the FBI call it? revealed the second try it former President Donald Trump’s life in 10 weeks.
Leaders and top brass in both parties say one option is to include emergency funding for the Secret Service in a short-term funding bill. Congress should pass by September 30 prevent a government shutdown.
But they’re exploring another option: allowing the Secret Service to shift resources and spend more money protecting those it protects. campaign.
Speaking on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the Secret Service and all law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to do their jobs.” During the payment process, if the Secret Service needs more resources, we are available [provide] it’s for them—perhaps in an upcoming financial deal.”
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the vice chairwoman and ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee, which drafts the funding bills, said Monday that Congress is open to a funding increase. But he also showed a letter actor Ssecret service director Ron Rowe On July 13, it was sent to top brass on September 5, saying that the security failure in the first assassination attempt on Trump was not the result of inadequate resources.
“[T]however, they still need more funding in certain areas, the letter goes on to say. So I’m sure the subcommittee will take a close look at that,” Collins said, referring to the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees homeland security issues. “Nobody wants to deny the Secret Service the funding it needs as long as it’s justified. he.”
Collins added that it’s possible the funding increase could be tied to a continuing funding measure that must pass this month, but “it’s also possible we could just transfer money.”
Congress has appropriated $3.1 billion for the Secret Service for the current fiscal year 2024, which is $265.6 million more than funding for fiscal year 2023 and $2023 million more than the $1.8 billion appropriated a decade ago. is much more.
Other Republicans said it was clear something had to change.
“The Republican nominee has already been shot once. Wake up, we’re leaking oil here,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.
A spokeswoman for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declined to say whether the House is considering tying more Secret Service funding to an ongoing resolution, pointing to an appearance on Fox News Monday in which he called on Trump to move more personnel. .
Johnson said in an interview that Trump needs protection more than anyone: “He is the one who is attacked the most. He is the most threatened, probably even more than when he was in the Oval Office. Therefore, we demand from the House that it has every asset and we will provide more if necessary. I don’t think it’s a financial issue. I think it’s a division of labor.”
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., a member of the Homeland Security Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Secret Service, also said adamantly that the Secret Service does not need more money.
“That’s always the solution, isn’t it? The problem is, the federal government is spending more money. Well, we have $35 trillion in debt,” said Johnson, a close Trump ally and former chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.
He said Trump’s outdoor rallies put more of a strain on resources, but “there are a lot of people in federal law enforcement that you can move, train quickly, and they can get the job done.”
Democrats said they would be on board if the Secret Service formally requested more money. Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee of the Senate, DR.I. Jack Reed told NBC News that “if they want additional resources for the defense services, there’s no debate about that.”
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee, agreed that both sides would be “very accommodating” to any Secret Service funding request.
On Sunday, a Secret Service detail thwarted a second apparent FBI assassination attempt on Trump while he was playing golf at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
A Secret Service agent opened fire on the suspect. Ryan Wesley Routh58, escaped with an SUV. An AK-47 rifle was found on the golf course and Routh was arrested and charged with federal weapons offenses.
On Monday morning, President Joe Biden spoke to Trump on the phone and said, “Thank God,” he’s fine. Biden urged Congress to approve more funding to allow the Secret Service to hire more employees.
“One thing I want to make clear is that the Secret Service needs more help. I think Congress should respond to their needs.”
The Trump campaign also requested additional security for him amid death threats. Two sources told NBC News that the campaign asked the Secret Service for increased security Monday morning.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R.S.C., a golfing friend of Trump’s, said he had played the same golf course with Trump “dozens of times” and that the agent who held the man at gunpoint was doing his job. But he said that Trump escaped because of luck.
“How can you tell if a guy could get an AK-47 from the bushes by the fence and accidentally stick it out so he could see the barrel?” Graham told reporters, adding that he wasn’t sure exactly what the agency should do. “I don’t know. I just know that between now and election day, we have to protect these two people.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., also on the Homeland Security Committee, said he expects wholesale changes at the agency.
“We will look more broadly at the effectiveness of the Secret Service as a protection agency and whether it is performing as it should,” he said.