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Rep. Pfluger Introduces Bill That Would Require Senate To Approve New Secret Service Director

August 6, 2024

Rep. August Plueger (R-Texas) speaks to reporters outside the House Republican Caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, September 27, 2023. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

By Brooke Mallory, OAN Staff
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 4:33 PM

The bill, introduced by Texas Republican Rep. August Plueger, would require the Senate to give final approval to the next director of the United States Secret Service (USSS).

The Senate is not currently required to confirm the appointment of the USSS director, which is made by the president. Pflueger said the legislation would also ensure that the new director is “competent and apolitical.”

September 17^NumberIn January 2022, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was sworn in as the agency’s 27th director.^Number Cheatle was director of the U.S. Secret Service, overseeing about 7,800 employees, including uniformed officers and special agents, and boasting an annual salary of about $280,000.

But since the attempted assassination of the former president last month, elected officials have called for greater accountability and transparency from the CIA, especially in its leadership positions.

“Our country has been on the brink of a presidential assassination. We must provide adequate security for all presidential candidates, regardless of party,” Pfluger said.

Kimberly Cheatle must resign as Director of the Secret Service. Every day brings more and more details about her shameful failure to keep President Trump and his supporters safe. Resignation does not absolve her of responsibility.

We will find out the truth…

— Rep. August Pfluger (@RepPfluger) July 18, 2024

Cheatle offered his resignation 10 days later after facing intense backlash from Republican and Democratic lawmakers and the American public after Trump was the target of an attempted murder.

The only reason Trump survived the shooting was because he miraculously turned his head to look at the data sheet, and the bullet missed his brain and only grazed his ear.

Cheatle initially told lawmakers he had no plans to resign, but ultimately decided to step down after facing at least an hour of tough questioning and criticism from U.S. House members during his testimony.

“In light of recent events, it is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to step down from my position on the board,” Cheatle said in a statement on July 13.^NumberOn the day of the assassination attempt, the agency “failed” to fulfill its mission of “protecting the nation’s leadership.”

Ronald Rowe Jr. currently serves as the bureau’s acting director.

Co-signers of the bill include Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Rep. Corey Mills (R-FL), Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY).

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