SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 112
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
Sponsored by:
Senator DOUGLAS J. STEINHARDT
District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)
Senator JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL
District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to enact Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024 to reimburse State and local units for public safety expenses incurred during major presidential and vice presidential candidates visits.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging Congress to pass the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024 to reimburse State and local units for public safety expenses during major presidential and vice presidential candidates visits.
Whereas, Safeguarding the personal security of the President and the Vice President of the United States enables the individuals who hold these offices to discharge the duties assigned to each under the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, Following the assassination of President William McKinley and the attempted assassination of President Harry S. Truman, Congress passed legislation formalizing United States Secret Service protection for presidents and their immediate families, as well as for presidents-elect; and
Whereas, Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, the mandate of the Secret Service gradually expanded to include protective services for the President and Vice President and their families, former presidents and their spouses, major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and nominees, visiting heads of state and government, and other designated individuals; and
Whereas, Secret Service protective operations cover the White House complex, the Vice Presidents residence, designated national special security events, as well as domestic and international locations to which Secret Service-protected individuals travel; and
Whereas, Although it is often unrecognized, the Secret Services ability to maintain public safety and security for individuals, facilities, and events covered under its protection depends on the agencys effective cooperation and coordination with state and local governments; and
Whereas, The July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on Former President, and current presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, further highlights the ongoing need for effective cooperation and coordination to protect major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and maintain public safety throughout election campaigns; and
Whereas, The State of New Jersey and its municipalities are not only honored to host any individuals who are under Secret Service protection, but also take seriously the responsibility to cooperate with the Secret Service to ensure public safety and security surrounding such occasions; and
Whereas, However, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities that are dedicated to ensuring effective cooperation with the Secret Service often place undue financial burdens on the State and its municipalities; and
Whereas, The Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024, recently introduced in Congress as H.R.9332, would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments, on a reimbursement basis, for public safety and law enforcement purposes surrounding events and appearances involving major presidential and vice presidential candidates; and
Whereas, The enactment of the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024 would provide the State and its municipalities the funding necessary to effectively cooperate and coordinate with the Secret Service in order to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and ensure public safety during campaign events and appearances within the State; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly shall be transmitted to each member of Congress elected from this State, and to the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024.
Under federal law, the United States Secret Service, under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, is mandated to protect the President and the Vice President of the United States, as well as the president-elect, and the vice president-elect. The agency is also authorized to provide protective services to certain other individuals, including the immediate families of the president, vice president, president-elect, and vice president-elect; former presidents and vice presidents, their spouses, and certain children; major presidential and vice presidential candidates; visiting heads of foreign states or foreign governments; and certain other designated individuals.
Although it is often unrecognized, the Secret Services ability to maintain public safety and security for individuals, facilities, and events covered under its protection depends on the agencys effective cooperation and coordination with state and local governments. The July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on Former President, and current presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump, further highlights the ongoing need for effective cooperation and coordination to protect major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and maintain public safety throughout election campaigns.
The State of New Jersey and its municipalities are not only honored to host any individuals under Secret Service protection, but also take seriously the responsibility to cooperate with the Secret Service to ensure the safety and security surrounding such occasions. However, the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities that are dedicated to ensuring effective cooperation with the Secret Service often place undue financial burdens on the State and its municipalities.
The Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024, recently introduced in Congress as H.R.9332, would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of State and local governments, on a reimbursement basis, for public safety and law enforcement purposes surrounding events and appearances involving major presidential and vice presidential candidates. The enactment of this bill would provide the State and its municipalities the funding necessary to effectively cooperate and coordinate with the Secret Service in order to protect major presidential an