Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, last week, in both the House and the Senate, legislation was introduced to increase the Secret Service protection for Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees. We all know why this legislation is needed. In the span of just 65 days, President Trump, our former President and the Republican nominee to be the next President of the United States, has been the target of two assassination attempts.

In Butler, PA, President Trump was shot in the head but miraculously was spared from death. Unfortunately, Fire Chief Corey Comperatore was killed by the assassin's bullets, and others were gravely injured by his gunfire. Then it happened again in my home State of Florida.

It is thanks to the incredible work of President Trump's Secret Service detail that another would-be assassin was unable to take a shot at the President while he was golfing with friends. We know that day could have ended much differently. We thank God that these attempts have not been successful. But each of these events has reminded the Nation of the dangers surrounding President Trump and the need to make sure he, his family, and those around him are safe. That is why I introduced the Protect Our Presidents Act here in the Senate and Representatives Mike Lawler and Ritchie Torres introduced the Enhanced Presidential Security Act in the House.

The safety and security of those seeking to lead our Nation should never be in jeopardy and should be applied regardless of party. That is why these bills ensure all Presidential nominees, both now and in the future, are provided the enhanced protection they clearly require and deserve.

On Friday, the House passed Representatives Lawler and Torres's bill in a unanimous vote of 405 to 0. This unanimous vote shows that when commonsense and desperately needed legislation come before Congress, we can act quickly to do what the American people expect of us.

I am proud to lead this effort in the Senate, and I am on the floor today to request the immediate passage of the Enhanced Presidential Security Act so we can send this good and necessary bill to President Biden's desk so it may become law.

Our action today goes beyond the simple language of this bill to increase the Secret Service protection for our party's Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees. Passing the Enhanced Presidential Security Act today, with the unanimous consent of the Senate, sends an important message to the American public and the world that we will not ignore these threats, which are truly an attack on our democratic process and have rightly shocked the world.

9106, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

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Mr. SCOTT of Florida. I further ask that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

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Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues for their support of this commonsense legislation, which has now passed with unanimous, bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure nominees for President and Vice President are never in jeopardy and are provided the enhanced protection they clearly require and deserve.

This bill will now go to President Biden's desk, and I hope he acts quickly to sign it into law.

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