The Biden administration has made a special request to congressional committees for increased funding for the US Secret Service in anticipation of the 2024 election. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the request was submitted in August, citing concerns over 'insufficient resources' for the agency if additional funding is not allocated.
The Office of Management and Budget submitted the request, known as an anomaly request, following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in July. This request includes proposed additions to the standard contents of a short-term government funding bill, with negotiations expected between Congress and the White House in the coming weeks.
If the funding request is not approved, the Secret Service could face challenges in sustaining and enhancing protective operations during the critical period leading up to and after the election. While the exact amount of increased spending was not specified, the request emphasized the need for flexibility in funding to support protective and presidential campaign operations.
It is customary for federal agencies to submit such requests to the Office of Management and Budget ahead of negotiations for short-term government funding. The language proposed by the Biden administration for enhanced Secret Service funding has already been included in a Republican-sponsored funding bill, indicating potential bipartisan support for the initiative on Capitol Hill.
