Staff Reports
A recently passed bipartisan bill aimed at extending presidential-level security to major presidential and vice presidential nominees sailed through Congress, achieving near-unanimous support. The House of Representatives, in a rare display of unity, approved the bill on a 405-0 vote, while the Senate followed suit with unanimous consent just days later. It’s almost as if the political elites suddenly realized it might not be a good idea to leave candidates open to assassination attempts—even if they’ve been on opposing sides of the aisle.
The fire lit under this legislation was undoubtedly fueled by the chilling near-death experience former President Donald Trump faced during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where a bullet barely missed him. That eyebrow-raising incident, along with another assassination plot that nearly unfolded on the greens in Florida, prompted Congress to pull their heads out of the sand and take action. Somehow, it took two attempts on Trump’s life for lawmakers to remember that perhaps all candidates—regardless of party affiliation—deserve a bit more protection.
The Senate just unanimously passed my Enhanced Presidential Security Act. Elections must be determined by ballots not bullets, and this bill helps ensure that's the case. pic.twitter.com/P6Z9HdbF5k
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) September 24, 2024
Lawmakers swiftly recognized that when it comes to the safety of potential leaders, politics should be cast aside. After all, the same Congress that often can’t agree on anything from budget proposals to lunch orders found a swift consensus when it came to protecting individuals who seek to lead the nation. The unanimous speed at which this bill flew through both chambers is a testament to how far politicians are willing to go to appear nonpartisan—at least when the bullets start flying.
Senator Rick Scott, a Republican hailing from Florida and the leading voice for this initiative noted that prioritizing safety should transcend party lines. In a country where political divisions often seem insurmountable, this incident reminded lawmakers that the true bipartisan effort might actually be in protecting the leaders who chart the course of the nation—even if the course itself often feels like a bumpy ride. The addition of enhanced security now extends beyond just the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, to include Trump, giving both parties extra motivation to ensure the safety of their candidates.
In a nod to the newfound urgency, the acting Director of the Secret Service confirmed that Trump is receiving the same top-tier security detail as the current president. This gesture, prompted by Biden’s orders following the Butler incident, raises eyebrows about how quickly administrations adapt when faced with legitimate threats. It’s quite the political game—protect the candidate, but let’s not forget to twist the knife of hypocrisy as lawmakers scramble to secure bipartisan approval. With the November elections creeping closer, one can only wonder how many more bills will slip through Congress as the political elite try to demonstrate that there is, indeed, some bipartisan synergy once the stakes get high enough.
