Sens. Tim and Rick Scott Introduce Legislation to Bolster Security for Presidential Nominees Following Trump Assassination Attempts

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) led 11 of their senate colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Presidents Act, which will enhance the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protection for presidential nominees to the same level currently provided to a sitting U.S. president.

“Over the past three months, we’ve seen two assassination attempts on a presidential candidate; it is clear action needs to be taken,” said Senator Tim Scott. “I am glad to join the efforts to beef up protections for presidential candidates at a time when reckless, inflammatory rhetoric is inciting acts of violence. This commonsense legislation needs to be taken up immediately.”

“Over the course of just 65 days, two deranged individuals have tried to kill President Donald Trump, and one was able to shoot him in the head. It is unthinkable that this could happen in America today, and it demands the immediate action of Congress. Today, I am leading 12 of my Republican colleagues to introduce the Protect Our Presidents Act which mandates that the USSS provide the same level of protective services to presidential nominees that it affords to sitting presidents. President Trump has great officers and agents working around the clock to keep him safe, but it’s clear that the vile rhetoric on the left toward President Trump has made him a target and more resources are required to ensure the safety of him and his family. I urge Senate Democrats to join Republicans to quickly pass this bill that will support the protection of President Trump and all future presidential nominees,” said Senator Rick Scott.

“The past two assassination attempts on President Trump have been alarming. It is clear safeguards are needed to ensure presidential nominees are safe from violence. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill to provide additional protection to presidential nominees,” said Senator Rubio.

“The two attempts on President Trump’s life and the failures of the U.S. Secret Service have put the threat of assassination at the forefront of Americans’ concerns. With the Protect Our Presidents Act, will ensure American Presidents and presidential candidates receive the highest level of security. We cannot let our guard down,” said Senator Risch.

“After two assassination attempts and very real threats directed at President Trump, it is long past time that all nominees receive the highest level of presidential protection. If we cannot keep all candidates safe, our entire system of government will be in peril. That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Rick Scott’s effort to protect candidates for the highest office in the land,” said Senator Budd.

Senator Barrasso wrote, “Our nation has witnessed two horrifying assassination attempts on President Trump. We were merely inches away from a catastrophic event that would have changed the course of our history. This cannot happen again. The Protect Our Presidents Act will ensure all presidential nominees receive the same level of protection provided to the president. This will give law enforcement the resources they need to keep President Trump and all of the candidates safe.”

“Ideas we do not align with and policies we do not agree with are not threats to democracy.  Allowing would-be assassins the opportunity to shoot a former president in the ear or to get within firing range to attempt to do so again within the span of just a few short weeks is.  President Trump should have the same level of protective service he had while President, and so should all future presidential nominees from any party.  This should not be political,” said Senator Crapo.

“In two months, there have been two unprecedented assassination attempts on President Trump’s life. Enough is enough, the current level of Secret Service protection around President Trump is insufficient. It is clear to every American that the threats to President Trump have reached a level that warrants additional security. That’s why we are demanding that President Trump receive the same amount of security resources as the President and Vice President,” said Senator Marshall.

“The two confirmed assassination attempts against former President Trump have made it abundantly clear that we need to shore up protection details for presidential candidates. What President Trump and his family have gone through in the last 65 days is unimaginable. No presidential candidate should fear for their safety or the wellbeing of their family. I am partnering with Senator Rick Scott to ensure President Trump and all future presidential nominees have the protection they need so they can focus on promoting their respective platforms, not fearing for their safety,” said Senator Lummis.

Senators Tim Scott and Rick Scott are joined in introducing the legislation by Senators Roger Marshall, Jim Risch, James Lankford, Marco Rubio, Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Mike Crapo, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Ted Cruz, and Mike Braun.

Specifically, the Protect Our Presidents Act would:

• Require the USSS to provide presidential nominees the same level of protection provided to the president, as well as any necessary protective measures.
  • The nominee may decline the increased protection if they so choose. 
• Mandate regular reporting:
  • The USSS must brief and report on the status of the presidential nominee’s protection to the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee every 15 days during a presidential election year.
  • This report will include the threat level for each presidential nominee, the security measures being implemented, associated costs, the number of personnel permanently assigned to each protective detail, and any unmet security needs.