[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 123 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5531-S5532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Trump Rally Shooting

  Madam President, for years this country has suffered from a uniquely 
American gun violence epidemic. On July 13, campaign rally attendees in 
Butler, PA, became the latest victims when a gunman attempted to 
assassinate former President Donald Trump.
  During the gunman's heinous shooting spree, he killed an innocent 
firefighter and injured two other people. But this assassination 
attempt has exposed more than just the continued threat of gun violence 
in America, it has also revealed unacceptable security failures in the 
operations of the United States Secret Service.
  Despite the implementation of a security plan to secure the rally 
site on July 13, the shooter involved was able to fly a drone outside 
of the security perimeter for 11 minutes. His suspicious activity was 
reported twice, and he was spotted on the roof of a building prior to 
taking his first shot. Yet his violent plan continued unimpeded, and he 
was able to fire eight shots before a Secret Service counter-sniper 
killed him.
  The implications are terrifying, when a mere 2 days after the 
shooting, the Secret Service needed to secure the Republican National 
Convention in Milwaukee, and in less than a month, the Secret Service 
must secure the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, in our home 
State of Illinois.
  Between now and November 5, Vice President Harris and former 
President Trump will hold countless political events with thousands of 
Americans across the country.
  The Secret Service will need to secure all of these major events, but 
the Agency needs first to restore our trust in its ability to do so.
  The Senate Judiciary Committee, which I chair, has jurisdiction over 
the Secret Service and the Federal Government investigation. I have 
worked closely with Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, the chair of the 
Homeland Security Committee, to organize a joint hearing tomorrow 
morning that will examine the security failures leading to the 
assassination attempt against former President Trump.
  During this hearing, we will hear from Acting U.S. Secret Service 
Director Ronald Rowe about the security failures on July 13 and what 
the Secret Service is doing to rectify those issues.
  We will also hear from the FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate, who will 
provide an update on the FBI's investigation into the assassination 
attempt.
  This hearing follows a briefing the Secret Service and the FBI 
provided to members of both committees last week.
  There are many questions which the American public deserves answers 
to including:
  Why was the shooter able to conduct reconnaissance at the fairgrounds 
on the morning of the rally?
  How and when was he able to bring an assault rifle on the premises?
  Why was the building from where the gunman shot excluded from the 
Secret Service security perimeter, despite being within range of the 
AR-15, the most popular rifle in America?
  Why was the gunman able to conduct reconnaissance and move about 
freely, even after being identified as a suspicious person, without any 
intervention by local and Federal law enforcement until it was too 
late?
  What organizational and on-the-ground changes has the Secret Service 
implemented since this occurred to ensure better security in the 
future?
  Which of these changes were in place in time for the Republican 
National Convention?
  And which are still in the process of being implemented for future 
events such as the Democratic National Convention?
  The Presiding Officer and I share concerns about tens of thousands of 
people coming to our beloved city of Chicago. We want them to be safe 
every minute of every day. We want to make certain that the Agencies, 
State, local, and Federal law enforcement Agencies are doing the very 
best job.
  They have disclosed to both of us their plans, and it looks good on 
paper. My question is, what did you learn about Pennsylvania that is 
now being applied to the original plan to keep Chicago safe?
  I might also say the threat or promise of Governor Abbott to send 
thousands of migrants on buses into this convention center in the midst 
of all of the visitation that is taking place is irresponsible and 
mean-spirited.
  These people--and I have spoken to many of them coming off of buses 
from Texas--they are given promises of jobs and accommodations and 
special treatment that just aren't realistic. They are doing what they 
can to protect their families, but they are doing it at the expense of 
the government and law enforcement in the region.
  When we are having the responsibility of a national convention, we

[[Page S5532]]

can't afford to let such a thing occur without complaining and calling 
the attention of the Texas Governor to the irresponsibility of this 
action.
  What challenge does the proliferation of weapons present to the 
Secret Service's mission to protect current and former Presidents, Vice 
Presidents, and families of major candidates moving forward?
  These are fundamental questions which will be asked tomorrow. There 
is an urgent need for bipartisan collaboration in Congress to provide 
these answers to the American people, as soon as possible, so that the 
Secret Service can begin to rebuild trust and more effectively fulfill 
its mission.
  The work has already begun. Tomorrow's joint hearing will help bring 
about transparency and accountability for Secret Service failures in 
Butler, PA, on July 13.
  I will close by saying this: The hearing is a joint hearing of the 
two committees, and it is bipartisan. It has been from the start.
  There have been suggestions made on the floor here that there was 
some partisan angle to this. Partisanship has nothing to do with 
keeping our elected officials and those running for high office safe 
throughout their conduct.
  We have got to do this together, both parties, for the good of our 
Nation. Political violence and vandalism are never, never acceptable.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.