House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement after meeting with U.S. Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy and other lawmakers to discuss a recent incident where two Secret Service officers suspected of driving under the influence disrupted an active bomb investigation at the White House complex:
"Today's meeting with Director Clancy confirms what we've said all along: the culture at the U.S. Secret Service needs to change. Embarrassing incidents like the one that happened earlier this month need to stop. Secret Service agents are tasked with one of the greatest responsibilities in the United States and must exercise good judgement while both on and off duty. The President, his family, and the White House complex face enough threats as it is each day and we don't need agents' own stupidity endangering their safety as well.
"At a House Judiciary Committee hearing last fall, Director Clancy pledged to make necessary improvements at the agency to rein in abuses and ensure professionalism and I intend to hold him to this promise. Additionally, it's clear that legislative action is needed to aid the Secret Service in its effort to make improvements. I plan on introducing legislation soon to provide much needed reforms to the Secret Service that will enhance agents' training, strengthen security at the White House complex, and improve transparency and accountability at the agency."