Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “If the Secret Service requires additional resources, we are prepared to provide it.” This comes after several congressional leaders suggested that the U.S. Secret Service may receive more funding following a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Sept. 15.
The incident involved a 58-year-old gunman with a rifle targeting Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump was unharmed, thanks to the quick action of a Secret Service agent. This was the second attempt on Trump’s life, with the first occurring on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In response to these incidents, congressional leaders from both parties condemned the attacks and proposed increasing funding for the Secret Service. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed support for providing additional resources to protect Trump.
Both houses of Congress are currently negotiating over a bill to fund the government beyond the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. Members of Congress, including Senator Rick Scott and Representative Ro Khanna, have endorsed the idea of more funding for the Secret Service to ensure Trump’s protection.
Former President Trump is entitled to lifetime protection from the Secret Service, but the level of protection differs from that of sitting presidents. Discussions about increasing funding for the Secret Service are ongoing, with Acting Director Ronald Rowe emphasizing the importance of adequate resources to ensure the agency can fulfill its duties effectively. President Biden also signaled his support for additional funding for the Secret Service. “The Secret Service requires additional assistance. Congress should address their needs,” he stated. Leaders of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees have not yet provided a response to the request for comment.
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