The House voted Wednesday to establish a task force to investigate the security failures surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on June 13.
The bipartisan vote reflects the outrage over the shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump narrowly escaped death. One person was killed, and two others were severely injured. Lawmakers have responded swiftly with hearings and widespread calls for accountability.
The legislation passed with a vote of 416-0.
RELATED STORY | Secret Service Director Cheatle resigns amid scrutiny after Trump assassination attempt
“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 will be responsible for identifying the failures on the day of the assassination attempt and proposing measures to prevent future security breaches. The task force is expected to release a final report before Dec. 13 and has the authority to issue subpoenas.
The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Kelly, who hails from Butler where the shooting took place. Kelly attended the rally with his family.
“My community is mourning. They are shocked by what occurred in our backyard. The people of Butler and the entire country deserve answers,” Kelly stated.
Kelly expressed concern about the rally location, believing it to be challenging to secure for an event of that scale. He sees the task force as an opportunity to demonstrate to the public that lawmakers can collaborate to address crises.
House committees have conducted three hearings on the shooting. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after facing harsh criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for the security lapses. While acknowledging the failure, Cheatle failed to provide detailed answers during her testimony, leading to further frustration among lawmakers.
Democrats also endorse the task force, condemning the attack in Butler as unacceptable and calling for preventative measures.
“We must uncover the truth, understand what transpired, and ensure such incidents never occur again,” stated Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
