Securing America: House Votes On Post-Presidential Protection

Many people may not realize that U.S. presidents don’t get Secret Service protection for the rest of their lives after they leave office, but they don’t. ?That may soon change, as Congress takes up protecting presidents post-presidency.

FOX News Radio’s Lisa Brady reports in our ongoing series on national security:

Securing America.

Protecting former presidents…

(Rep. Smith) “The world has changed dramatically since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.”

So Texas Republican Congressman Lamar Smith is among the bipartisan supporters of a bill to reinstate lifetime Secret Service protection, which was limited to ten years after a president leaves office in a 1994 bill.

(Rep. Smith) “In a world where Americans who serve the public interest are considered targets, we must make sure that the safety and security of our former chief executives is not jeopardized.”

The lifetime protection would also apply to former first ladies. ?Some in Congress have argued that, given their earnings potential, former presidents should pay for their own security at some point. ?But the bill passed the House on a voice vote and is headed to the Senate.

Lisa Brady, FOX News Radio.