Congress Pushes for Secret Service Overhaul
In light of growing concerns following a recent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, two Congress members are advocating for significant reforms within the Secret Service. Representatives Jared Moskowitz from Florida and Russell Frey from South Carolina proposed a bill that would shift the agency’s oversight away from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and place it directly under the White House.
This initiative is part of a larger bipartisan effort led by Moskowitz, a former emergency management director, aimed at reforming a department often criticized for inefficiency. His legislation would also make FEMA an independent agency at the Cabinet level and move the TSA to the Department of Transportation.
Moskowitz explained that the intent behind these changes is to cut through the red tape at DHS that complicates operations. He witnessed firsthand the issues the Secret Service faces while serving on the Congressional Select Committee that investigated the initial assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“During my visit to Butler, talking with the Secret Service, it struck me they’re grappling with the same limitations as FEMA,” Moskowitz shared in an interview. “Being a smaller agency hampers their access to necessary resources and decision-making capabilities.”
“These bills aim to streamline the operations of all three agencies,” he added, noting the aim to reduce bureaucracy issue within DHS.
Moskowitz, who was present at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner when a gunman was subdued, highlighted that the threat of assassination underscores the need for better direct accountability to the president and additional resources for the Secret Service.
Co-sponsor Frey emphasized that the bill aims to enhance the Secret Service’s ability to protect the president amid rising political threats.
“As political hostility intensifies, it’s essential for the Secret Service to remain focused solely on its mission without the complications of bureaucratic hurdles,” Frey stated.
Moskowitz’s reform proposals arise after DHS faced a notable funding deficit, which lasted 76 days and concluded at the end of April. He has previously opposed a year-round spending bill for DHS but backed funding for its non-immigrant division.
If the proposed reforms gain approval, there’s a chance that the TSA, Secret Service, and FEMA will have protection from future funding cuts from DHS.
Moskowitz pointed out that over 1,000 TSA employees had resigned during the shutdown, resulting in longer security lines and increased delays for travelers. “It’s unacceptable for Americans to face disruptions at airports due to government inefficiencies,” he remarked.
He also proposed that transferring the TSA to the Department of Transportation could improve its operations. “It makes sense for the Department of Transportation to oversee air safety while the DHS manages the security of passengers on the ground,” he explained.
Although Moskowitz’s efforts to elevate FEMA to a Cabinet-level agency have stalled, he has been in discussions with the Trump administration regarding reforms for DHS. He believes there’s significant bipartisan support for restructuring the department.
“Will we manage to implement real changes, or are we just going to keep funding the agencies without making any meaningful adjustments?” he pondered.
He is collaborating with Rep. Byron Donald from Florida on the FEMA reform proposal and co-leading the TSA transfer legislation with Rep. Tim Burchett from Tennessee.
Moskowitz expressed his intention to seek reelection in the newly drawn Republican-favored 25th Congressional District after recent redistricting that extended Democratic seats in Florida.
