McCaskill, Johnson Request Briefing from U.S. Secret Service

Press Release

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Ranking Member Claire McCaskill of Missouri on Wednesday requested a briefing from the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) on its growing operational demands and the resources it needs to succeed.

"The USSS has a critical mission that not only includes ensuring the protection of the President and other dignitaries, but enforcing counterfeiting laws and safeguarding the financial systems of the United States against computer-based crimes," Senators Johnson and McCaskill wrote in their request to Secret Service Acting Director William J. Callahan. "Therefore, the Committee seeks to ensure that the USSS can succeed, while also using taxpayer funds as efficiently and effectively as possible."

In the briefing request, the Senators lay out some of the challenges the agency faces and request that USSS officials brief the committee on how they are meeting their operational demands, progress in hiring more agents, steps to address workload and morale concerns, and actions Congress can take to assist the agency in its mission.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has oversight jurisdiction of USSS and has previously worked to improve the effectiveness of the agency.

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