House members propose lifetime Secret Service protection for former presidents

Four members of the House Judiciary Committee have put forward a bill that would reinstate lifetime Secret Service protection for former U.S. presidents.

Under current law, protection for all former presidents starting with George W. Bush, and their spouses, ends 10 years after they leave office. But the new bill, from Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), would make this protection permanent.

The law was changed in 1994 to put a 10-year limit on protection of former presidents, and Gowdy's bill would return to the prior practice of lifetime protection.

Current law allows for the temporary protection of presidents and spouses after 10 years, but a House aide said the Secret Service is better prepared to plan for full protection rather than respond to requests for temporary protection. The bill was developed in consultation with the Secret Service.

Current law also holds that protection for the children of former presidents lasts for 10 years after leaving office, or until the children turn 16, whichever happens first. The bill would change that to authorize protection for children of former presidents until they turn 16.

The bill is co-sponsored by three other members of the House Judiciary Committee: Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), ranking member John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.).

— This story was updated at 2:52 p.m.

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