Biden administration requests more money for Secret Service
The Biden administration has requested special permission from Congress to increase spending on the Secret Service in the upcoming weeks, even if only a short-term spending bill is passed to prevent a government shutdown. The White House Office of Management and Budget submitted an anomaly request to congressional committees following the fallout from a second apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Short-term spending bills, also known as continuing resolutions or CRs, maintain government funding at current levels for a brief period until appropriations bills for the entire fiscal year are passed. These CRs often include anomaly provisions for programs or activities that require support beyond typical funding levels.
The Office of Management and Budget warned that without additional flexibility to increase Secret Service spending soon, the agency would lack the necessary resources to sustain and enhance protective operations. There are growing concerns among congressional staffers regarding the Secret Service’s funding levels, leading to ongoing negotiations and deliberations over government spending in 2025 on Capitol Hill.
The request from OMB aims to enable the Secret Service to sustain current operations and address additional protective measures, campaign travel, operations, and overtime costs as needed. President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to respond to the Secret Service’s requirements for additional resources. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe also communicated the agency’s need for more resources to fulfill its mission.
Maine Senator Susan Collins, GOP vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed support for meeting the Secret Service’s resource requests if substantiated. She acknowledged the challenges faced by the Secret Service in an election year, particularly with the heightened protection required for President Trump and other officials.
The recent incident involving suspect Ryan Wesley Routh highlights the ongoing risks faced by former President Trump and the Secret Service. Routh was armed with an AK-47-style rifle and was apprehended by authorities after a confrontation at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach. This event occurred just months after another shooting incident at a rally in Pennsylvania, underscoring the need for heightened security measures.
As investigations into these incidents continue, the Secret Service’s call for increased resources remains a critical concern. Congressional support for additional funding will be crucial in ensuring the agency can fulfill its protective mission effectively.
