The Senate has unanimously passed a bill introduced by GOP Sen. Rick Scott that guarantees former President Donald Trump will receive the same level of Secret Service protection as a sitting president. The bill, known as the Protect Our Presidents Act, will now be sent to President Joe Biden for approval.
Sen. Scott emphasized the importance of this bill in sending a message to the American public and the world that threats to the democratic process will not be ignored. He stated that these threats are attacks on democracy and have rightfully shocked the world.
The bill's passage in the Senate comes shortly after the House of Representatives approved a companion bill with a vote of 405-0. Despite some reservations, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy chose not to object to the bill. He expressed his belief that while the bill may not address the root causes of political violence, it is a step in the right direction.
Sen. Murphy called for additional resources to be allocated to the Secret Service to ensure they have the necessary tools to carry out their duties effectively. He also urged for bipartisan discussions on addressing the rise in political violence and finding common ground between Republicans and Democrats.
Sen. Scott urged President Biden to promptly sign the bill into law, highlighting the urgency of providing adequate protection to former President Trump. The Protect Our Presidents Act aims to ensure that all former presidents, including Trump, receive the security measures necessary to safeguard their lives.
