US Lawmakers Scramble to Boost Secret Service Protection for Presidential Candidates Amid Threats

The US Congress is racing to ensure that the Secret Service has adequate funds to protect presidential candidates amid growing threats of political violence in the United States.
The push follows an assassination attempt against Donald Trump in July and a recent arrest for another apparent assassination attempt at Trump’s Mar-a-lago golf club in Florida.
Democrats and Republicans are working with the agency to assess whether additional resources are necessary before the upcoming election, AP reported.
House Republicans created a bipartisan task force to investigate security failures after the July shooting and to prevent future incidents.
The Secret Service, while acknowledging immediate needs, denies that funding shortfalls caused recent security lapses for Trump.
Congress is considering adding emergency funds to a stopgap bill to bolster technology, partnerships, and agent over time.
Sen. Chris Murphy said the priority is ensuring new dollars will improve security between now and the presidential inauguration in January 2025.
House and Senate bills mandating equal protection for presidential candidates are gaining bipartisan support, with a vote expected Friday.
Republicans argue the focus should be on improving agency operations, rather than increasing its budget, which has seen regular boosts.
Both parties agree on the urgency of protecting candidates, and ensuring the election outcome is determined by voters, not violence.
Despite recent security improvements, concerns remain about the agency’s capacity to handle escalating threats ahead of the election.