Booker Announces Presidential Security Bill to Bridge Crucial Gaps in Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024, a bill authorizing the Secret Service to reimburse state and local governments for the use of state and local resources while supporting the protection of presidential candidates. Booker will introduce the bill when Senate session resumes.

In the aftermath dangerous safety breaches of the former president, the Secret Service has increased protection for presidential candidates to ensure their safety while campaigning and at their places of residence. These requirements place a significant burden on local and state governments providing critical voluntary assistance to the Secret Service. Because there is currently no authorization for the Secret Service to reimburse these expenses, local municipalities pay these additional unanticipated costs out of pocket. This bill authorizes the Secret Service to reimburse these expenses so that local law enforcement agencies can continue to support these critical requirements.

"After the assassination attempt against the former president in Pennsylvania, and the armed shooter at Mar-a-Lago, it is clear that the Secret Service must have adequate resources to protect presidential candidates," said Senator Booker. "Local law enforcement and first responders are critical partners to the Secret Service, but their support places a significant financial burden on municipalities such as Bedminster, New Jersey. We must ensure the Secret Service's partners can continue to perform these vital functions by authorizing federal reimbursement of their costs."

"The Secret Service can fully accomplish their mission when they have robust partnerships with local law enforcement agencies," said Congressman Kean. "Currently, a significant amount of that partnership is funded by small-town taxpayers and local budgets. I wrote this commonsense legislation to ensure that adequate resources are readily available to supplement each and every security plan. The Secret Service protects Americans leaders and must execute that function flawlessly every day."

On behalf of Bedminster Township, I extend our greatest appreciation to Senator Booker and his staff for sponsoring the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024". When the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service request resources from Bedminster to bolster the security at the Trump National Golf Club, we do our best to step up and fulfill those requests. However, we are a small town and the ability to deploy our police, fire and first aid resources is limited and does come with great expense. Senator Booker understands the predicament that we are in. This legislation provides a mechanism for Bedminster and other local agencies to work with the Secret Service with confidence that our participation will not compromise our ability to serve our residents," said Larry Jacobs, Mayor of Bedminster Township.

The Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024:

1. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimburse state and local governments for the use of services, personnel, equipment, and facilities while protecting Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates

This legislation has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ).

To read the full text of the bill, click here.