The legislature is set to debate on a legislation strengthening the protective services for presidential hopefuls, specifically the Secret Service.
The bill instructs the Secret Service chief to establish consistent safeguards for safeguarding presidents, vice presidents, and prominent presidential and vice presidential contestants.
Congress is scrutinizing the Secret Service following two suspected assassination attempts on Trump, the first occurring on July 13 during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and the second on September 15 at Trump International Golf Club in Florida.
Steve Scalise, the House Majority Leader, informed CNN that he anticipates the House bill to be adopted unanimously.
After the initial assassination attempt on July 13, Ronald Rowe Jr., the acting director of the US Secret Service, stated at a press conference the following day that the Secret Service significantly increased assets to maintain enhanced security measures for the ex-president.
In response to President Biden's demand for heightened security for former President Trump and Vice President Harris, Rowe remarked, "President Biden made it clear that he desired the highest level of protection for the former President Trump and the Vice President. Consequently, the Secret Service upheld the enhancement of assets and protection levels requested."
A source familiar with the legislation disclosed to CNN that the House bill will formalize President Biden's actions and the manner in which they were carried out. Additionally, the bill will authorize the president to extend this protection to any other presidential or vice presidential candidate for whom the Secret Service has already been authorized to offer security.
The legislation – HR 9106 – was introduced by GOP Rep. Mike Lawler of New York and Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York.
President Biden suggested in a recent radio interview that the Secret Service should receive more support.
"We require more resources. We require more agents, more protection, and a broader availability of assistance," the president stated following the second suspected assassination attempt on Trump.
Rowe has made an intentional effort to be the face of the agency after the apparent assassination attempt at Trump’s Florida golf course, as he lobbies for Congress to grant his agency extra funding.
However, lawmakers are still debating whether the Secret Service is underfunded or poorly managed and are seeking answers about what meaningful security enhancements can be implemented before the presidential election for an agency responsible for two suspected assassination attempts against a former president roughly 60 days apart.
One prospect being discussed, according to sources, is to incorporate additional financing into a government funding extension, which needs to be authorized by September 30. Senate budget negotiators and the Biden administration are in discussions about how much money to allocate to the upcoming stopgap bill for USSS, stating it could be "hundreds of millions of dollars" to boost their budget or authorize faster expenditure of existing funds.
The House task force created to investigate the assassination attempt against Trump at his July 13 rally is working in secret to broaden its investigation to also encompass the second suspected assassination attempt.
GOP Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, who heads the task force, commented on the possibility of Congress providing more funding to the agency on Wednesday, stating, "(The Secret Service) should be aware of what they need and be able to justify why they are requesting it, and provide evidence to justify their demands."
CNN’s Aditi Sangal contributed to this report.
The debate in Congress about the Secret Service's funding and management is fueled by the two suspected assassination attempts on former President Trump. The House bill, aiming to formalize President Biden's actions, also authorizes extending protection to other prominent candidates.
