The Senate approved a bill on Tuesday to increase the level of Secret Service protection for former President Trump, moving the bill one step closer to becoming law less than two weeks after he suffered a second assassination attempt.
The bill, introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) days after the first assassination attempt, would require the Secret Service to “apply the same standards” to determine how many agents should be assigned to protect the president, vice president and anyone running for office that warrants such protection.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who introduced a similar bill in the Senate, introduced it by unanimous consent. No senators blocked the request, and the bill was sent to President Biden's desk.
“The safety and security of those seeking to lead our country should never be at risk,” Scott said on the floor, “and it should apply regardless of party affiliation. That's why these bills ensure that all current and future presidential nominees are provided the enhanced protections they clearly need and deserve.”
The bill passed the House last week by a vote of 405-0.
The move came after Ryan Wesley Routh was shot by a Secret Service officer while waiting for Trump at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, forcing him to flee.
The interim spending package expected to be passed this week includes $231 million to beef up the Secret Service after lawmakers expressed frustration with Trump's continued protection following the golf course incident and an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.
