The House voted Wednesday to establish a task force to investigate the security failures surrounding the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on June 13.
The vote highlights the bipartisan outrage over the shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump narrowly escaped death, with one rallygoer killed and two others severely injured. Lawmakers have acted swiftly with hearings and widespread demands for accountability.
The bill passed with a vote of 416-0.
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“Protecting the safety and security of our nation’s leaders is a responsibility that transcends party lines,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said.
The task force will consist of 13 members, including seven Republicans and six Democrats. It is tasked with identifying the failures on the day of the attempted assassination and making recommendations to prevent future security breaches. A final report is expected before Dec. 13, and the task force has the power to issue subpoenas.
The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Kelly, who hails from Butler, where the shooting took place. Kelly was present at the rally with his wife and other family members.
“My community is in mourning,” Kelly stated. “They are shaken by the events in our vicinity. The people of Butler and the United States deserve answers.”
Kelly expressed concerns about the rally location, believing it was challenging to hold such a large event there. He sees the task force as an opportunity to demonstrate to the American people that lawmakers can collaborate to address crises.
House committees have conducted three hearings on the shooting. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday, a day after facing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for the security lapses. Cheatle called the attempt on Trump’s life the Secret Service’s most significant operational failure in decades but failed to provide specific answers during the congressional hearing.
Democrats also voiced support for the task force, condemning the despicable attack in Butler and emphasizing the importance of uncovering the truth and preventing such incidents in the future.
“We must uncover the truth, prevent recurrence, and ensure this never happens again,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
