Senators Introduce Legislation Requiring Senate Confirmation For Secret Service Director

• Senators Grassley and Cortez Masto introduce legislation for Secret Service leadership changes.

• Proposed legislation requires Senate confirmation for Secret Service directors for a single 10-year term.

• Response to Secret Service Director's resignation emphasizes urgency in filling the leadership position.

Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, speaks at a hearing at the Capitol in Washington, May 4, 2023. Grassley has been hospitalized in the Washington area with an

AP

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley and Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto have introduced bipartisan legislation that aims to bring changes to the leadership structure of the US Secret Service. The proposed legislation would require directors of the Secret Service to undergo Senate confirmation for a single, 10-year term.

This development follows the recent resignation of US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. In response to this vacancy, the senators issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of swift action in filling the leadership position.

Senator Grassley highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, 'In light of former Director Cheatle’s resignation, Congress must now move quickly to pass our legislation and put a qualified individual at the agency’s helm.' He stressed the need for effective oversight and leadership within the Secret Service.

Senator Cortez Masto echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the bipartisan PROTECT Act. She stated, 'By making the Secret Service Director a Senate-confirmed position, our bipartisan PROTECT Act will ensure the same level of oversight as other federal law enforcement agencies and support our hardworking agents in doing the best job they can. We can’t accept anything less.'

The proposed legislation seeks to enhance accountability and transparency within the Secret Service by subjecting the director position to Senate confirmation. This move aims to align the agency's leadership structure with that of other federal law enforcement entities, ensuring consistent oversight and support for Secret Service agents.

As discussions around the legislation continue, the focus remains on strengthening the Secret Service's leadership framework to uphold its mission of protecting the nation's highest officials and maintaining security.