The House of Representatives on Friday unanimously passed a bill that could provide major presidential and vice presidential candidates the same level of Secret Service protection as incumbents.
The bill passed 405–0.
The text of H.R. 9106 states the legislation is “To direct the Director of the United States Secret Service to apply the same standards for determining the number of agents required to protect Presidents, Vice Presidents, and major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, and for other purposes.”
The vote came just five days after a second assassination attempt of Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, has been charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession and receipt of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Routh faces a detention hearing on Sept. 23.
Some lawmakers said the bill’s passage is long overdue.
“It’s ridiculous that the Secret Service has failed to provide President Trump with the protection he needs, despite the fact that there are significant known threats towards him. Congress shouldn’t have to pass legislation to require the Secret Service to do its job and protect President Trump,” Rep. Eric Burlison (R–Mo.) told NTD News. “I’m pleased that the bill passed the House with bipartisan votes.”
The FBI is leading the investigation into Routh. The Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are “providing assistance,” according to the DOJ.
Florida launched its own investigation into the Sept. 15 assassination attempt earlier this week.
“In my judgment, it’s not in the best interest of our state or our nation, to have the same federal agencies that are seeking to prosecute Donald Trump, leading this investigation,” DeSantis said Tuesday at the press conference where he announced the investigation.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for further comment from NTD news.
H.R. 9106, called the Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024, will now go to the Senate for consideration. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who preceded DeSantis as governor, introduced a similar proposal on Thursday to increase Secret Service protection for presidential nominees.