US Senator Rick Scott’s (R-FL) Enhanced Presidential Security Act was recently signed by President Joe Biden.
The Enhanced Presidential Security Act, led by Representatives Mike Lawler and Ritchie Torres in the House of Representatives, unanimously passed the Senate after passing with a bipartisan and unanimous 405-0 vote in the House.
The bill would provide presidential and vice presidential nominees the same level of Secret Service protections as sitting presidents and vice presidents.
Senator Scott filed his bill after two foiled attempts against former President Donald Trump’s life.
Scott celebrated the bill’s passage via X.
“After multiple assassination attempts on President @realDonaldTrump, this bill is a great right step to protect him and all future presidential and vice presidential nominees,” said Scott.
🚨 BREAKING: My, @RepMikeLawler and @RepRitchie’s Enhanced Presidential Security Act was just signed by @POTUS into law.
After multiple assassination attempts on President @realDonaldTrump, this bill is a great right step to protect him and all future presidential and vice… https://t.co/iKuefUEtjk
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 1, 2024
In addition to expanded protection for candidates, the new law mandates the Secret Service submit a report to Congress within the next 180 days on the status of candidates’ protections and any further recommendations.
The Secret Service’s protection capabilities were questioned by conservative lawmakers, who qualify Trump’s attempted assassinations as preventable.
In addition to domestic threats, Trump has been targeted by foreign actors.
Namely, Iran has reportedly planned to assassinate Trump and has actively spied on his campaign.
Trump was reportedly briefed by US intelligence officials on Iranian plots to assassinate him.
The reports came days after the US intelligence community exposed election-meddling activities by Iran against Trump.
Trump has defied Iran’s ploys against him, assuring supporters he would confront Iran where he to regain the presidency.
Trump has claimed his administration’s policies restricted Iran’s nefarious activities, which he contrasted with Iran’s increased anti-Western efforts during the Biden-Harris administration. “When I was President, Iran was in total check,” said Trump. “They were starved for cash, fully contained, and desperate to make a deal.”
