Order Code RL34603
The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and
Analysis of Its Evolving Missions
July 31, 2008
Shawn Reese
Analyst in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy
Government and Finance Division

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The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis
of Its Evolving Missions
Summary
The U.S. Secret Service has two missions — criminal investigations and
protection. Criminal investigation activities, which have expanded since its inception
as a small anti-counterfeiting operation at the end of the Civil War, now encompass
financial crimes, identity theft, counterfeiting, computer fraud, and computer-based
attacks on the nation’s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure,
among other areas. Protection activities, which have expanded and evolved since the
1890s, include the safety and security of the President, Vice President, their families,
and other identified individuals and locations.
In March 2003, the U.S. Secret Service was transferred from the Department of
the Treasury to the Department of Homeland Security as a distinct entity. Prior to
enactment of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296), the U.S. Secret
Service had been part of the Treasury Department for over 100 years.
During an April 2008 hearing on the FY2009 budget request for the U.S. Secret
Service, Members of Congress raised questions related to the missions and
organizational location of the Service. Are the two missions of the Service
compatible and how should they be prioritized? Is the Department of Homeland
Security the most appropriate organizational and administrative location for the
Secret Service? These, and other policy questions, have been raised and addressed
at different times by Congress and various administrations during the long history of
the Service. Some may contend that these and other questions call for renewed
attention given the recent increase in demand for the Service’s protection function
(for example, see H.R. 5938 pending in the 110th Congress) and the advent of new
technology used in financial crimes.

This report will be updated when congressional or executive branch actions
warrant.

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Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
U.S. Secret Service Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Historical Overview of USSS Statutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Investigation Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Protection Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Policy Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Appendix: Statutes Addressing U.S. Secret Service Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
List of Tables
Table 1. FY2007-FY2008 Budget Authority, and the FY2009 Budget
Request for USSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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The U.S. Secret Service: An Examination
and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions
Introduction
The U.S. Secret Service (USSS), a distinct entity within the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), has two missions — criminal investigations and
protection.1 Criminal investigation activities encompass financial crimes, identity
theft, counterfeiting, computer fraud, and computer-based attacks on the nation’s
financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure. The protection mission
is the most prominent of the two, covering the President, Vice President, their
families, former Presidents, and major candidates for those offices, along with the
White House and the Vice President’s residence (through the Service’s Uniformed
Division). Protective duties of the Service also extend to foreign missions in the
District of Columbia and to designated individuals, such as the Homeland Security
Secretary and visiting foreign dignitaries. Separate from these specific mandated
assignments, USSS is responsible for certain security activities such as National
Special Security Events (NSSEs), which include the major party quadrennial national
conventions as well as international conferences and events held in the United States.

Over the past century, USSS’s protection mission has received more
congressional action than its investigation mission, which was the agency’s initial
responsibility when it was created in 1865.2 Most recently, in the 110th Congress,
the House recently passed H.R. 5938, “Former Vice President Protection Act of
2008,” which would provide Vice Presidents and their families USSS protection for
six months after leaving office. Additionally, a House committee conducted a
hearing in April 2008 on the FY2009 budget request and the issue of the Service’s
presidential candidate protection.3 This report frames potential policy questions
concerning the Service’s mission and organization through an examination of the
USSS history and its statutory authorities, mission, and present activities within
DHS.
1 The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) transferred USSS to the newly created
DHS. All of the Service’s functions were transferred and it was to remain a “distinct” entity
within DHS. Since being transferred to DHS in 2003, the USSS has continued to execute
its investigative and protection missions.
2 Of the 43 statutes referenced in this report, 26 were directly related to USSS’s protection
mission.
3 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Homeland
Security, Fiscal Year 2009 Budget for Secret Service’s Candidate Protection, 110th Cong.,
2nd sess., April 3, 2008.

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CRS-2
In recent years Congress has appropriated approximately $1.5 billion annually
for the USSS. The following table presents data on the Service’s recent budget
authority.
Table 1. FY2007-FY2008 Budget Authority, and the FY2009
Budget Request for USSS
(Amounts in millions)
Budget Activity
FY2007
FY2008
FY2009
Domestic Protectees
$923
$910
$962
Foreign Protectees and Diplomatic Missions
$97
$136
$140
Protective Intelligence
$92
$75
$77
Campaign Protection
$12
$85
$41
Protection Subtotal
$1,124
$1,206
$1,220
Financial Investigations
$320
$334
$360
Infrastructure Investigations
$49
$55
$58
Investigation Subtotal
$369
$389
$418
Total
$1,493
$1,595
$1,638
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional
Justification: Strategic Context, p. 14.
U.S. Secret Service Missions
Since 1865, USSS has evolved into a federal law enforcement agency with
statutory authority to conduct criminal investigations and protect specific federal
officials, individuals, and sites. Congress transferred USSS to the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) in 2002.4 Previously, it had been part of the U.S.
Department of Treasury, since its inception in 1865.
Investigations
The original mission of the Service was to investigate the counterfeiting of
United States currency. This mission has been expanded throughout the agency’s
history through presidential, departmental, and congressional action.5 At times, early
in the agency’s history, Secret Service agents conducted investigations that were not
related to financial system crimes. Examples include the investigation of the Ku
4 116 Stat. 2224.
5 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : I n v e s t i g a t i v e M i s s i o n , ” a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/investigations.shtml].

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CRS-3
Klux Klan in the late 1860s and counter- espionage activities in the United States
during World War I.6
Today, USSS conducts criminal investigations into counterfeiting and financial
crimes.7 Within the investigative mission area is the USSS’s forensic services and
investigative support unit. USSS forensic services personnel conduct analyses of
evidence, some of which includes documents, fingerprints, false identification
documents, and credit cards, to assist in USSS investigations.8 USSS’s investigative
support is also responsible for developing and implementing a criminal and
investigative intelligence program. One of the aspects of this program is the
Criminal Research Specialist Program, which provides intelligence analysis related
to infrastructure protection, conducts forensic financial analysis, and provides
research and analytical support to USSS criminal investigations.9 Additionally, in
1994, Congress mandated that USSS provide forensic and technical assistance to the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.10
Protection
From protecting President Grover Cleveland in 1894 on a part-time basis to
protecting presidential candidates in 2008, the USSS history of protection has been
directed by unofficial decisions (such as the protection of President Cleveland) and
congressional mandate (such as the protection of major presidential candidates).
USSS protection activities have increased over the years, with only one instance of
a specified type of protectee being removed from the authorized list.11
For the first time, in 2008, USSS protected a spouse of a former President who
was also a presidential candidate, and it is protecting a Vice-President who is not
running for his political party’s nomination. The following are the current
individuals authorized USSS protection in 18 U.S.C. §3056(a):
6 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
Service: Secret Service History,” available at [http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml].
7 Financial crimes include identity theft, counterfeit and fraudulent identification, electronic
access fraud, computer fraud, forgery, money laundering, electronic benefits transfer fraud,
asset forfeiture, and advance fee. For a detailed definition of each of these crimes, see the
U.S. Secret Service’s website on “Criminal Investigations,” available at
[http://www.secretservice.gov/criminal.shtml].
8 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : F o r e n s i c S e r v i c e s , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/forensics.shtml].
9 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : I n v e s t i g a t i v e S u p p o r t , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/investigative_support.shtml].
10 108 Stat. 2043.
11 91 Stat. 3 authorized USSS to continue to protect specific federal officials who had
received protection during the term of their employment; this was repealed in 1984 (98 Stat.
3110).

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CRS-4
! President, Vice President, President and Vice President-elect;12
! the immediate families of those listed above;13
! former Presidents and their spouses;14
! former Presidents’ children under the age of 16;
! visiting heads of foreign states or governments;
! distinguished foreign visitors and official United States
representatives on special missions abroad; and
! major presidential and vice presidential candidates and, within 120
days of the general presidential elections, their spouses.15
Similar to the evolution of who has been protected by USSS, protection
operations have also evolved. Originally, USSS protection entailed agents being,
what could be described as, “bodyguards.” Now protection includes not only the
presence of agents in close proximity of the protectee, but also advance security
surveys of locations to be visited,16 coordination with state and local enforcement
entities, and intelligence analysis of present and future threats. The USSS protection
mission uses human resources and physical barriers, technology, and a review of
critical infrastructures and their vulnerabilities.17 Statutes also authorize USSS to
conduct such other activities as participating in the planning, coordination, and
implementation of security operations at special events of national significance, and
providing forensic and investigative assistance involving missing or exploited
children.18
Historical Overview of USSS Statutes
The “Investigation Mission” and “Protection Mission” have distinctive
characteristics and histories, and each has been affected by unofficial decisions and
congressional action. However, its protective mission has received the most
congressional attention through legislative action, and has been reinforced by the
12 This protection can not be declined.
13 From this bullet forward, all of these individuals can decline protection.
14 Former Presidents and spouses may receive protection for their lifetime, unless they serve
in office after January 1, 1997 or decline the protection. If they serve after January 1, 1997,
they are authorized to receive protection for 10 years after the date of leaving office and may
decline the protection at any time.
15 “Major” presidential and vice presidential candidates are determined by the DHS
Secretary after consulting with an advisory committee. The advisory committee consists of
the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, Senate majority and
minority leaders, and one other member chosen by the committee.
16 Some of the issues addressed during an advanced survey include the assessment of
manpower and equipment needs, and the location of hospitals. See USSS website on
“Protection,” available at [http://www.secretservice.gov/protection_works.shtml].
17 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : H o w P r o t e c t i o n W o r k s , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/protection_works.shtml].
18 18 U.S.C. 3056(e)-(f).

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CRS-5
Service’s transfer to DHS following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.19
Nonetheless, the investigation mission also has expanded. These missions are
addressed below.
It should be noted that since USSS’s transfer to DHS, any statute still in effect
authorizing or requiring the Treasury Secretary to perform some function connected
to the USSS’s previous statutory responsibilities has now been assumed by the DHS
Secretary. This report does not detail every law enacted that has affected USSS, but
instead attempts to identify important congressional actions that addressed the role
and responsibility of the Service. Additionally, the Appendix to this report provides
a list and brief description of the statutes identified in this report.
Investigation Mission
In 1806, Congress passed the Enforcement of Counterfeiting Prevention Act,
which enabled U.S. marshals and district attorneys to investigate and prosecute
counterfeiters.20 The authority to investigate counterfeiting was later transferred to
the Department of Treasury (TREAS) in 1860.21 In order to regulate U.S. currency
and increase sanctions against counterfeiters, Congress passed the National Currency
Act in 1863.22 Also in 1863, the Treasury Secretary directed the Office of the
Solicitor of Treasury to assume the department’s role in investigating
counterfeiting.23
Counterfeiting continued to be a problem for the federal government throughout
the Civil War; and by 1865, between one-third and one-half of all U.S. currency in
circulation was counterfeit.24 As a result of this currency crisis, the Treasury
Secretary established the Secret Service Division (SSD), within the Office of the
Solicitor of Treasury in 1865.25 At the July 5, 1865, swearing in of the new chief of
the SSD, William P. Wood, Treasury Secretary Hugh McCulloch stated “your main
objective is to restore public confidence in the money of the country.”26 SSD’s
19 Of the 43 statutes referenced in this report, 26 of them affect the service’s protection
mission.
20 2 Stat. 404.
21 12 Stat. 102.
22 12 Stat. 665.
23 The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration, “Records of the U.S. Secret
Service,” website available at [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-
records/groups/087.html].
24 Philip H. Melanson, and Peter F. Stevens, The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an
Enigmatic Agency, New York, 2002, Carroll & Graf Publishers, p. 4.
25 The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration, “Records of the U.S. Secret
Service,” website available at [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-
records/groups/087.html].
26 Philip H. Melanson, and Peter F. Stevens, The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an
Enigmatic Agency, p. 3.

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CRS-6
primary responsibility was to investigate counterfeiting, forging, and the altering of
United States’ currency and securities.27
The Office of Solicitor of the Treasury administered the SSD until 1879.28
Statutory recognition was given to SSD in 1882 when the 47th Congress appropriated
funds, as follows.
SECRET SERVICE DIVISION. — For one chief, three thousand five hundred
dollars; one chief clerk, two thousand dollars; one clerk of class four; two clerks
of class two; one clerk of class one; one clerk at one thousand dollars; and one
attendant at six hundred and eighty dollars; in all, twelve thousand nine hundred
and eighty dollars;29
The investigation of counterfeiting continued to be the service’s only mission until
1894, when it acquired its protection function.30
In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson directed the Treasury Secretary to have
SSD investigate espionage in the United States, which expanded on its limited
espionage mission conducted during the Spanish-American War in 1898.31 This
mission was phased out at the end of World War I, similar to its espionage mission
ending following the Spanish-American War.
In the first half of the 20th Century, Congress continued to authorize the Treasury
Secretary to “direct and use” SSD to “detect, arrest, and deliver into custody of the
United States marshal having jurisdiction any person or persons violating”
counterfeit laws.32 In 1948, SSD was also authorized to investigate crimes against
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, federal land banks, joint-stock land
banks, and national farm loan associations.33 As throughout USSS’s history,
Congress continued to amend the Service’s investigation mission.34
27 The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration, “Records of the U.S. Secret
Service,” website available at [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-
records/groups/087.html].
28 Ibid. The Office of Solicitor of the Treasury was transferred to the Department of Justice
in 1870 (16 Stat. 162), but continued to administer the SSD until 1879 even though the SSD
remained within the Treasury Department.
29 22 Stat. 230.
30 The protection mission, however, did not appear in statute until 1906.
31 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : S e c r e t S e r v i c e H i s t o r y , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml].
32 44 Stat. 918, and 48 Stat. 178.
33 62 Stat. 818.
34 76 Stat. 809 authorizes reimbursement to USSS for funds expended in purchasing
counterfeit currency.

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Due to the increased use of computers and electronic devices in financial crime,
Congress, in 1984, authorized USSS to investigate violations related to credit card
and computer fraud.35 Two years later in 1986, the Treasury Police Force was
merged into the Secret Service Uniformed Division as part of its protection mission.36
In the 1990s, Congress continued to amend laws affecting the investigation,
prosecution, and punishment of crimes against United States financial systems. One
authorized USSS investigation of crimes against financial systems by authorizing the
Service to conduct civil or criminal investigations of federally insured financial
institutions. This investigation jurisdiction was concurrent with the Department of
Justice’s investigation authority.37 Another law was the Violent Crime Control and
Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322), which made international
manufacturing, trafficking, and possessing of United States currency a crime as if it
were committed in the United States. Congress also enacted laws related to
telemarketing fraud (P.L. 105-184), and identity theft (P.L. 105-318). Both
telemarketing and identity theft are used in committing financial fraud and crime.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress enacted the
USA PATRIOT Act.38 Among numerous provisions addressing the protection of the
United States financial systems and electronic device crimes, the act contains a
provision that authorizes the Service to establish nationwide electronic crime task
forces to assist law enforcement, private sector, and academic entities in detecting
and suppressing computer-based crimes.39
Protection Mission
In 1894, SSD began (unofficially) to protect President Grover Cleveland on a
part-time basis. In fact, USSS agents guarded him and his family at their vacation
home in the Summer of 1894.40 President William McKinley also received SSD
protection during the Spanish-American War and limited protection following the
35 98 Stat. 2192. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United
States Secret Service: Secret Service History,” website available at
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml].
36 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : S e c r e t S e r v i c e H i s t o r y , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml].
37 104 Stat. 1427.
38 P.L. 107-56.
39 115 Stat. 277.
40 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : S e c r e t S e r v i c e H i s t o r y , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml], and Frederick Kaiser, “Origins of Secret
Service Protection of the President: Personal, Interagency, and Institutional Conflict,”
Presidential Studies Quarterly, 1988, vol. XVIII, num. 1, p. 102. These early protective
activities violated the strictures in the Service’s appropriations that limited it to
counterfeiting investigations.

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end of the war.41 There were three SSD agents present when President McKinley was
assassinated in Buffalo, New York, but reportedly not fully in charge of the
protection mission.42
Following the assassination of President McKinley, in 1901, Congress
informally requested SSD to protect the President.43 Five years later Congress, for
the first time, appropriated funds for the protection of the President with the passage
of the Sundry Civil Expenses Act for 1907 (enacted in 1906).44
Even as the SSD’s protection mission was authorized by Congress through
statute, the Service continued to investigate counterfeiting. Additionally, as with its
investigation into the Ku Klux Klan, SSD began another task outside the purview of
its original mandate; the investigation of land fraud in the western United States in
the early 1900s.45
In 1908, SSD’s protection mission was expanded to include the President-
elect.46 In that same year, President Theodore Roosevelt transferred a number of SSD
agents to the Department of Justice, which served as the foundation for the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.47 Annual congressional authorization of the mandate to
protect the President and President-elect began in 1913.48
41 Frederick Kaiser, “Origins of Secret Service Protection of the President: Personal,
Interagency, and Institutional Conflict,” Presidential Studies Quarterly, 1988, vol. XVIII,
no. 1, p. 112.
42 Ibid.
43 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : S e c r e t S e r v i c e H i s t o r y , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml]. For further information on presidential
assassinations, see CRS Report RS20821, Direct Assaults Against Presidents, Presidents-
Elect, and Candidates, by Frederick M. Kaiser.
44 34 Stat. 708.
45 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : S e c r e t S e r v i c e H i s t o r y , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml]. According to the USSS, millions of acres
were returned to the federal government as a result of the Service’s investigations. In this
case, Service agents were temporarily assigned to the Departments of Justice and Interior
to conduct the investigations, as neither department had a permanent investigation force.
46 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : S e c r e t S e r v i c e H i s t o r y , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml].
47 Ibid.
48 38 Stat. 23. Congress continued to authorize this protection annually until 1951, when it
permanently authorized USSS’s protective mission in statute (65 Stat. 122).

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During World War I threats began to arrive at the White House, which resulted
in a 1917 law making it a crime to threaten the President.49 Additionally, in that
same year, Congress authorized SSD to protect the President’s immediate family.50
As part of increasing the protection of the President and the President’s family,
the White House Police Force was created in 1922 to secure and patrol the Executive
Mansion and grounds in Washington, DC. Initially, the White House Police Force
was not supervised or administered by SSD; instead, the President or his appointed
representative supervised the White House Police Force.51 In 1930, however,
Congress mandated that the White House Police Force be supervised by the SSD.52
In 1943, Congress appropriated funding, for the first time, for both the investigation
and protection mission, specifically for: “suppressing” counterfeiting and “other”
crimes; protecting the President, the President-elect, and their immediate families;
and providing funding for the White House Police Force.53
In 1951, Congress permanently authorized the “U.S. Secret Service” to protect
the President, his immediate family, the President-elect, and the Vice President —
if the Vice President so desired.54 In 1954, Congress used the title “U.S. Secret
Service” in an appropriation act.55
Eleven years after permanently authorizing USSS’s protection mission,
Congress called for the protection of the Vice President56 (or the next officer to
succeed the President), the Vice President-elect, and each former President “at his
request” for “a reasonable period after he leaves office.”57 In 1963, following the
assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Congress enacted legislation that
authorized protection for Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and her children for two years.58

In 1965, Congress authorized permanent protection for former Presidents and
their spouses for the duration of their lives, and protection of their children until age
16.59 Also in that year, Congress increased USSS law enforcement responsibilities
49 39 Stat. 919.
50 40 Stat. 120.
51 42 Stat. 841.
52 46 Stat. 328.
53 57 Stat. 259-260.
54 65 Stat. 122.
55 67 Stat. 68. The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration, “Records of the U.S.
Secret Service,” website available at [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-
records/groups/087.html].
56 From 1951 to 1962, the Vice President was protected by USSS if “he so desired.”
57 76 Stat. 956.
58 77 Stat. 348.
59 79 Stat. 791.

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by authorizing the Service’s agents to make arrests without warrant for crimes
committed in their presence.60
The initial protection of Mrs. Kennedy (a widow of a former President) was not
extended.61 Congress, in 1967, authorized protection to former Presidents’ widows
and minor children until March 1, 1969.62 This protection became permanent in
1968.63 USSS’s protection mission was furthered expanded in that same year
following the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (a presidential candidate).
Congress authorized the Treasury Secretary to determine which presidential and vice
presidential candidates should receive USSS protection.64 An advisory committee
was established to assist the Treasury Secretary in determining what candidates could
receive protection. The committee included the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the Senate
majority and minority leaders, and one additional member selected by the
committee.65
Following a decade of expanding USSS’s protection mission, Congress further
amended this mission, and renamed the White House Police Force as the Executive
Protection Service (EPS) in 1970. Congress authorized the USSS Director to
administer the EPS’s protection of:
! the Executive Mansion and grounds in the District of Columbia
(D.C.);
! any building with presidential offices;
! the President and immediate family;
! foreign diplomatic missions located in the metropolitan D.C. area;
and
! foreign diplomatic missions located in the United States, its
territories, and its possessions — as directed by the President.66
EPS was renamed the “Secret Service Uniformed Division” in 1977.67
Along with the protection of foreign diplomatic missions, Congress, in 1971,
authorized USSS to protect visiting heads of foreign states, and other distinguished
60 79 Stat. 890.
61 79 Stat. 791.
62 81 Stat. 466.
63 82 Stat. 1198.
64 82 Stat. 170. Presidential and vice presidential candidates could decline protection.
65 Ibid.
66 84 Stat. 74-75. USSS states, on their website, that it assumed the protection of foreign
diplomatic missions outside of the metropolitan D.C. area in 1975. This document is
available at [http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml].
67 91 Stat. 1371.

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foreign visitors — at the direction of the President.68 Congress also authorized the
President to direct the protection of United States’ official representatives on special
missions abroad.69 Additionally, in 1971, Congress established criminal penalties for
a person who “... knowingly and willfully obstructs, resists, or interferes with an
agent of the United States engaged in the performance...” of USSS’s protection
mission.70

As Congress increased the authority of the USSS to protect foreign diplomatic
missions and visitors, it once again expanded protection, this time in 1975, to include
the Vice President’s immediate family.71 Congress further refined the protection
mission in the Presidential Protection Assistance Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-524) by
regulating the number and types of property to be protected by USSS.72 Also in
1976, Congress further expanded the list of who was eligible for USSS protection by
adding presidential and vice presidential candidate spouses.73 The “protectee” list
was again expanded in 1977, when Congress authorized the USSS to continue to
protect specified federal officials and their families.74
The list was increased with the addition of former Vice Presidents and their
spouses for a period to be determined by the President.75 Temporary residences of
the President and Vice President were designated (as determined by the Treasury
Secretary) as property that could be protected if occupied in 1982.76
For the first time in 1984, Congress enacted a consolidated list — from earlier
statutes — of individuals authorized USSS protection. The statute amended 18
U.S.C. §3056, “Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service.”77
In 1994, the protection of former Presidents and their spouses was limited to 10 years
after the President leaves office.78
68 84 Stat. 1941. One of the “distinguished foreign visitors” to receive USSS protection was
Pope Benedict in April 2008.
69 Ibid.
70 84 Stat. 1892.
71 88 Stat. 1765.
72 90 Stat. 2475. This activity arose in the aftermath of concerns that the security
arrangements at multiple private residences were excessive and not adequately justified.
See House Committee on Government Operations, Expenditures of Federal Funds in
Support of Presidential Properties, H.Rept. 93-1052 (GPO, 1974), pp. 1-6.
73 90 Stat. 1239.
74 91 Stat. 3. The individual had to be an official who had been receiving USSS protection
before 1977, and the President had to determine the former official still needed protection.
This provision was repealed in 1984. 98 Stat. 3110.
75 94 Stat. 2740.
76 96 Stat. 1451.
77 98 Stat. 3110.
78 108 Stat. 2412-2413. “The protection of a former President will end ten years from the
(continued...)

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The list of “protectees” has also been affected by presidential directives. As an
example, in 1986, the President directed USSS to protect the spouses of visiting
heads of foreign states.79 Any protectee may decline USSS protection except the
President, the Vice President, the President-elect, or the Vice President-elect.80
As the federal government began to address terrorist threats at the end of the
1990s, President William J. Clinton issued Presidential Decision Directive 62 (PDD
62) — “Protection Against Unconventional Threats to the Homeland and Americans
Overseas” on May 22, 1998.81 PDD 62 established a framework for federal
department and agency counter-terrorism programs that addressed the issues of
terrorist apprehension and prosecution, increased transportation security, enhanced
emergency response, and enhanced cyber security. PDD 62 also designated specific
federal departments and agencies as the “lead” agencies in the event of terrorist
attacks.82 The Service was designated as the lead agency with the leadership role in
the planning, implementation, and coordination of operational security for events of
national significance — as designated by the President.
On December 19, 2000, President Clinton signed P.L. 106-544, the Presidential
Threat Protection Act of 2000, authorizing the USSS — when directed by the
President — to plan, coordinate, and implement security operations at special events
of national significance.83 The special events were entitled National Special Security
Events (NSSEs). Some events categorized as NSSEs include presidential
inaugurations, major international summits held in the United States, major sporting
events, and presidential nominating conventions. Among other actions, this act also
established the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) within USSS. Congress
required NTAC to provide the following assistance to federal, state, and local law
enforcement agencies:
78 (...continued)
date a former President leaves office, if the President served in office after January 1, 1997.
Protection of the spouse of a former President will terminate in the event of remarriage or
divorce from a former President. If the President dies in office or within one year of office,
the spouse will receive protection for one year from the time of death. Provided, that the
Department of Homeland Security Secretary has the authority to direct USSS to provide
temporary protection for any of these individuals at anytime the Secretary or designee
determines that conditions or information warrant such protection.” 18 U.S.C. §3056(a)(3).
79 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : S e c r e t S e r v i c e H i s t o r y , ” w e b s i t e a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/history.shtml].
80 President Richard M. Nixon declined USSS protection after leaving office.
81 Additionally, in 1995 a portion of Pennsylvania Avenue was closed off to vehicular traffic
due to the bombing of the James Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
82 Presidential Decision Directive 62 is classified. The White House issued a fact sheet
abstract about it, and the Federation of American Scientists has posted an “unclassified
a b s t r a c t ” s a i d t o b e “de r i ve d f r o m” P D D 6 2 , a va i l a b l e a t
[http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/pdd-62.htm].
83 114 Stat. 2716.

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! threat assessment training;
! consulting on complex threat assessment cases;
! researching threat assessment and targeted violence;
! promoting standardization of federal, state, and local threat
assessments and investigations; and
! other threat assessment activities, as determined by the DHS
Secretary.84
Policy Questions
In light of the historical information presented above on the evolution of the
statutory foundation for the USSS and its present budget authority, Congress might
wish to consider the following policy questions, among others.
Missions
! Should Congress consider what is the optimum or preferred mission
of the USSS and whether the mission should consist of both
investigation and protection?
! Is the current allocation of resources, with the majority dedicated to
the protection mission, appropriate?
Organization
! Five years after the establishment of DHS, is this department the
most appropriate administrative location for the USSS?
! What are the advantages and disadvantages of alternative
organizational arrangements, including the transfer of some
functions and personnel back to the Treasury Department?
Missions. The two USSS missions — investigation and protection — have
evolved over 143 years. Its original and oldest mission, which began in 1865, is its
investigation mission. Statutorily, the protection mission did not begin until 1906.
In FY2008, however, the protection mission received 76% of the agency’s funding
and employed approximately 73% of its full-time equivalents (FTE). In FY2008, the
protection mission was appropriated approximately $1.2 billion, and the investigation
mission was appropriated $389 million. Additionally, according to USSS FY2009
congressional justification, the FY2008 protection mission’s FTE is 4,850, compared
to the investigation mission’s FTE of 1,850.
Table 1 of this report provides information on USSS’s FY2007 and FY2008
budget authority, and its FY2009 budget request. One could assume that this
allocation of resources reflects the agency priorities. Specifically, the USSS states
84 Ibid.

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that in FY2008 it required $910,127,000 to “protect our nation’s leaders and other
protectees.”85 By comparison, financial investigations required $334,371,000.86
As described earlier in this report, USSS’s protection mission employs the
majority of the Service’s agents and receives a larger share of the agency’s resources.
Additionally, the majority of congressional action concerning USSS has been related
to its protection mission. This difference may be the result of the costs associated
with an increase in protecting individuals, events, and facilities. The relevant statutes
identify what federal officials are authorized, through statute, USSS protection; the
role and responsibilities of the Secret Service Uniform Division; and the Service’s
role in security for NSSEs.
While Congress has maintained USSS’s role in investigating financial crimes,
congressional action primarily has addressed, and continues to address the Service’s
protection mission. An example of this in the 110th Congress is the House’s passage
on June 9, 2008, of H.R. 5938, the “Former Vice President Protection Act of 2008,”
which would require the Service to protect former Vice Presidents, their spouses, and
minor children for a period up to six months after leaving office.87 Another example
of congressional interest in the Service’s protection mission occurred in the FY2008
Consolidated Appropriations Act, when Congress specifically stated that the USSS
could not use any funds to protect any federal department head, except the DHS
Secretary, unless the Service is reimbursed.88
One could argue, potential terrorist attacks have resulted in an increase in the
need for the Service’s protection activities. The Service’s protection mission has
increased and become more “urgent” due to the increase in terrorist threats and the
expanded arsenal of weapons that terrorists could use in an assassination attempt or
attacks on facilities.89 The USSS transfer from the Treasury Department to DHS
indicates this change.
The establishment of a single mission, or a distinct primary and secondary
mission, for the USSS is one option for Congress in light of this increased terrorist
threat. One argument for this is that the majority of the Service’s resources are used
for its protection mission, and that Congress has raised the issue of the Service’s
competing missions of protection and investigation. It can be argued, however, that
the Service trains its agents in both investigations and protection with no loss of a
protectee in the last 45 years. Some have argued, however, that there needs to be an
independent examination of the Service’s dual mission to evaluate the effectiveness
85 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, Fiscal Year 2009
Congressional Justification: Strategic Context, p. 7.
86 Ibid., p. 8.
87 H.R. 5938, introduced by Representatives Conyers, Smith, Scott, and Gohmert on May
1, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
88 P.L. 110-161, Div. E, Title V, Sec. 516.
89 Philip H. Melanson, and Peter F. Stevens, The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an
Enigmatic Agency, p. 333.

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of USSS’s training.90 If there were an evaluation of the Service’s two missions, it
might be determined that it is ineffective for the USSS to conduct its protection
mission and investigate financial crimes.
Specifically, in 2008, USSS is engaged in an increased protection workload
which includes protection of major presidential candidates, ensuring security for the
2008 presidential nominating conventions, preparing for the transfer of presidential
administrations and the January 2009 inauguration. Congress addressed this issue
at a hearing in April 2008 on candidate protection.91 Members expressed concern
with the Service’s ability to meet the demands of its dual mission.92 USSS Director,
Mark Sullivan stated, at the hearing, that the Service has “initiated” candidate
protection approximately 18 months before the general election, the earliest it has
ever begun protection.93 Director Sullivan also stated that the Service has employed
approximately 1,000 Transportation Security Administration screeners, also within
DHS, to augment the Service’s uniform division’s officers for security screening at
campaign functions.94
Organization. As one examines the placement of the Service in DHS
following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it might be useful to examine
the missions of the Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security, and the
Homeland Security Council’s National Strategy for Homeland Security.95
Department of the Treasury’s Mission. The Department of the Treasury’s
mission is to “Serve the American people and strengthen national security by
managing the Government’s finances effectively, promoting economic growth and
stability, ensuring the safety, soundness, and security of the U.S. and international
finance systems.”96 Specifically, the Department of the Treasury is authorized to
establish a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which would, among
other activities, identify possible criminal activity to appropriate law enforcement
entities; support criminal financial investigations and prosecutions; determine
emerging money laundering and financial crime trends; and support intelligence and
90 Philip H. Melanson, and Peter F. Stevens, The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an
Enigmatic Agency, p. 335.
91 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriation’s Subcommittee on Homeland
Security, Fiscal Year 2009 Budget for Secret Service’s Candidate Protection, hearing, 110th
Cong., 2nd sess., April 3, 2008, p. 2.
92 Ibid., p. 3.
93 Ibid., p. 4.
94 Ibid., p. 8. At the hearing USSS Director Sullivan stated that it costs approximately
$44,000 a day to protect a presidential candidate.
9 5 T h e h o m e l a n d s e c u r i t y s t r a t e g y i s a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/nshs/NSHS.pdf].
96 U.S. Department of Treasury, “Duties and Functions: Mission,” available at
[http://www.treas.gov/education/duties/].

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counterintelligence activities to protect against international terrorism.97 The
Department of the Treasury also has an Office of Intelligence and Analysis which is
responsible for the “receipt, analysis, collation, and dissemination” of foreign
intelligence and counterintelligence related to the Department of Treasury’s
operations and responsibilities.98 Finally, within the Department of Treasury, there
is an Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, whose functions include
providing policy, strategic, and operational direction relating to:
! combating terrorist financing; and
! combating financial crimes, including money laundering,
counterfeiting, and other offenses threatening the integrity of
banking and financial systems.99
These functions are similar to elements of the USSS investigation mission.
Department of Homeland Security’s Mission and National
Homeland Security Strategy. DHS’s mission statement reads “We will lead the
unified national effort to secure America. We will prevent and deter terrorist attacks
and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure
safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the
free flow of commerce.”100 More specifically, certain authorities and responsibilities
of the Homeland Security Act address USSS activities. Some involve DHS’s
mission to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S.101 and reduce the nation’s
vulnerability from terrorist attacks.102 The focus on terrorism prevention, within a
homeland security context, is further reinforced with the October 7, 2007, version of
the Homeland Security Council’s National Strategy for Homeland Security. The
strategy’s four goals are:
! prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks;
! protect the American people, our critical infrastructure, and key
resources;
! respond to and recover from incidents that do occur; and
! continue to strengthen the foundation to ensure our long term
success.103
97 31 U.S.C. 310(C).
98 31 U.S.C. 311(a)(2).
99 31 U.S.C. 313(a)(4).
100 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Strategic Plan - Securing Our Homeland,”
available at [http:www.dhs.gov/xabout/strategicplan/index.shtm].
101 6 U.S.C. 111(b)(1)(A).
102 6 U.S.C. 111(b)(1)(B).
103 Office of the President, National Homeland Security Council, National Strategy for
H o m e l a n d S e c u r i t y , p . 1 , a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/nshs/NSHS.pdf].

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Arguably, the authority for the USSS to protect specified categories of
individuals listed in 18 U.S.C. 3056(a) (provided earlier in this report) and the
Service’s investigation into financial crimes related to terrorism or terrorist
organizations meet DHS’s mission and the strategy’s goals of preventing and
disrupting terrorist attacks. Some past assassination attempts on Presidents,
President-elects, and candidates have been terrorist attacks, such as the 1901
assassination of President McKinley by an anarchist and the attempted 1951
assassination attempt on President Harry S Truman by two Puerto Rican
nationalists.104 However, to date, no attempted or successful assassination has been
attributed to an individual professing to be a terrorist or being a member of a terrorist
organization. It is not unreasonable, however, to associate general terrorist threats
with potential dangers to top government officials. In its study, through the National
Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), USSS found that “assassins and attackers plan
their attacks and are motivated by a wide range of issues.”105 The NTAC study also
“suggests” that mental illness is not critical to determining legitimate threats; the
ability to develop and execute a plan is a more significant factor.106 Terrorists are
motivated by many issues and ideologies, and have proven to be adept at developing
and executing plans.
Also, in the National Strategy for Homeland Security, “banking and finance”
is listed as a critical infrastructure and key resource.107 USSS’s original mandate to
investigate crimes against United States’ financial system meets the strategy’s goal
to protect our critical infrastructure and key resources. DHS’s National Protection
and Programs Directorate contains an Office for Infrastructure Protection (OIP). OIP
is responsible for the “coordinated national effort to reduce risk to our critical
infrastructures and key resources (CI/KR) posed by acts of terrorism. In doing so, the
department increases the nation’s level of preparedness and the ability to respond and
quickly recover in the event of an attack, natural disaster, or other emergency.”108 It
could be assumed that DHS’s responsibility for ensuring the protection of critical
infrastructure, which includes banking and finance, supports USSS transfer to DHS.
Therefore, it could be argued that the USSS is able to effectively execute its missions
as a distinct entity within DHS.
It can also be argued that because of the Department of the Treasury’s mission
to ensure the nation’s financial systems, USSS could execute its investigation of
financial crimes mission as one of the department’s entities — as it was prior to its
transfer to DHS in March 2003. This option might ensure that the lead agency for
104 For a detailed list of assassination attempts, see CRS Report RS20821, Direct Assaults
Against Presidents, President-elects, and Candidates, by Frederick Kaiser.
105 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service, “United States Secret
S e r v i c e : N a t i o n a l T h r e a t A s s e s s m e n t C e n t e r , ” a v a i l a b l e a t
[http://www.secretservice.gov/ntac.shtml].
106 Ibid.
107 Office of the President, National Homeland Security Council, National Strategy for
Homeland Security, p. 27.
108 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Office of Infrastructure Protection,” available
at [http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1185203138955.shtm].

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financial crime investigations was part of the federal government’s financial
department.
This option would require an evaluation of the Service’s history of its protection
mission when it was part of the Treasury Department, and if the Service would still
be effective in this mission if was reassigned to the Treasury Department. Again, this
was an activity USSS executed as part of the Treasury Department prior to March
2003, however, the Service’s protection mission has taken on increased significance
since September 11, 2001. This may, arguably, be a reason to maintain USSS’s
protection mission within DHS. Presently, the Service’s practice of training its
agents in investigations and protection could impede on this division of USSS
between the Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security.
Another example of an agency that could possibly assume the Service’s
investigation mission is the FBI, which has the mission of protecting and defending
the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, and enforcing the
criminal laws of the United States.109 However, this might be problematic, since
investigations of financial crimes was the original mission of the USSS.
Additionally, the Service has developed a proficiency in investigating financial
crimes that the FBI may not be able to replicate, unless USSS personnel and
resources were transferred.
It may be argued that it is necessary for Congress to debate the question of what
is the primary USSS mission in order to determine where the Service can efficiently
execute its mission and be appropriately supported. This evaluation could result in
the status quo (USSS as a DHS agency), a separation of USSS missions (financial
investigations in the Treasury Department and protection in DHS), or the Service
being transferred back to the Department of the Treasury. Another possibility may
be establishing the USSS as an independent agency that investigates financial crimes
and conducts its protection mission. This would require Service coordination with
the Treasury Department during financial crime investigations, and coordination with
other governmental entities — such as DHS and the Department of Justice — when
USSS is executing its protection mission. One additional course of action could be
having the Service transferred to a federal department other than Treasury or DHS,
such as the Department of Justice. Regardless of how the Service is organized, it
may be necessary to examine how USSS is funded and if the present procedure of
funding adequately meets the Service’s needs and organization.
109 Federal Bureau of Investigation, “About Us-Quick Facts,” available at
[http://www.fbi.gov/quickfacts.htm].

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Conclusion
From 1865 to the present, USSS has been investigating financial crimes, its only
activity for the first three decades, and protecting senior executive branch officials,
most notably the President. Recently the Service has increased its efforts in
cybersecurity and its protection activities due to certain events, such as the terrorist
attacks of September 2001 and the war in Iraq. The missions of the Service have
evolved and conformed to presidential, departmental, and congressional
requirements. Due to evolving technology and tactics used in crimes — including
financial, cyber, terrorism, and attempted assassinations — USSS has had to evolve.
As the cost of this law enforcement increases, and the number of protectees increases
(at least during presidential campaign election years), the Service is having to
determine how to continue to balance and fulfill its two missions.

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CRS-20
Appendix: Statutes Addressing
U.S. Secret Service Activities
Statute
Brief Description
Year
2 Stat. 404
The Enforcement of Counterfeiting Prevention Act
1806
passed; authorized U.S. marshals and district
attorneys to investigate and prosecute counterfeiters.
12 Stat. 102
Counterfeiting investigation authority transferred to
1860
the Department of the Treasury.
12 Stat. 665
National Currency Act passed by Congress.
1863
16 Stat. 162
The Office of the Solicitor of the Treasury transferred 1870
to the Department of Justice.
22 Stat. 230
Statutory recognition given to the Secret Service
1882
Division (SSD) in an appropriation act.
34 Stat. 708
Congress, for the first time, appropriated funds
1906
specifically for the protection of the President.
38 Stat. 23
Beginning of annual authorization for presidential
1913
protection.
39 Stat. 919
Congress makes it a crime to threaten the President.
1917
40 Stat. 120
Congress authorizes SSD to protect the President’s
1917
immediate family.
42 Stat. 841
White House Police Force established.
1922
44 Stat. 918
Treasury Secretary authorized to use SSD to
1926
investigate counterfeiting.
46 Stat. 328
Congress authorizes SSD to administer and supervise 1930
the White House Police Force.
48 Stat. 178
Congress authorizes SSD to investigate and arrest
1933
individuals involved in fraud related to the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation.
57 Stat. 259-
Congress, for the first time, appropriates funding for
1943
260
the SSD’s investigation and protection missions.
62 Stat. 818
SDD authorized to investigate crimes related to
1948
federal banks and loan associations.
65 Stat. 122
Congress permanently authorizes the “U.S. Secret
1951
Service” to protect the Presidents, their immediate
families, Vice Presidents (if so desired), and the
Presidents-elect.

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Statute
Brief Description
Year
67 Stat. 68
Congress, for the first time, uses the title “U.S. Secret 1954
Service” in an appropriation act.
76 Stat. 809
Congress authorizes reimbursement to USSS for
1962
funds used to purchase counterfeit currency.
76 Stat. 956
Congress authorizes permanent protection of the
1962
Vice President and former Presidents (as requested)
for a “reasonable amount of time.”
77 Stat. 348
Congress authorizes USSS protection of Mrs.
1963
Jacqueline Kennedy and her minor children for two
years following the assassination of President John F.
Kennedy.
79 Stat. 791
Congress authorizes permanent protection of former
1965
Presidents and their spouses during their lifetime, and
their children until age 16.
79 Stat. 890
Congress authorizes USSS agents to make arrests
1965
without warrants if crimes are committed in their
presence.
81 Stat. 466
Congress extends USSS protection to widows of
1967
former Presidents and minor children until March 1,
1969.
82 Stat. 170
Congress authorizes the Treasury Secretary to
1968
determine what presidential and vice presidential
candidates should receive USSS protection, and
establishes an advisory committee to assist the
Secretary in this determination.
82 Stat. 1198
Congress permanently authorizes the protection of
1968
former Presidents’ widows and minor children.
84 Stat. 74-75
Congress renames the White House Police Force the
1970
Executive Protection Service (EPS), and authorizes
the USSS Director to ensure EPS’s protection of
different locations and facilities.
84 Stat. 1892
Congress makes it a crime to interfere with USSS
1971
agents engaged in a protection mission.
84 Stat. 1941
Congress authorizes USSS protection of visiting
1971
heads of foreign states, distinguished foreign visitors,
and U.S. officials abroad on special missions.
88 Stat. 1765
Congress extends USSS protection of foreign
1975
diplomatic missions and the Vice President’s
immediate family.

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CRS-22
Statute
Brief Description
Year
90 Stat. 1239
Congress authorizes protection of presidential and
1976
vice presidential candidates’ spouses.
90 Stat. 2475
Congress identifies the number and types of
1976
residences and properties to be protected by USSS,
such as residences owned by Presidents and Vice
Presidents.
91 Stat. 3
Congress authorizes USSS protection to specified
1977
federal officials. Repealed in 1984 (98 Stat. 3110).
91 Stat. 1371
EPS is renamed the Secret Service Uniform Division. 1977
94 Stat. 2740
Former Vice Presidents and spouses are authorized
1980
USSS protection if directed by the President, but not
indefinite protection.
96 Stat. 1451
Temporary presidential and vice presidential
1982
residences were designated as property that could be
protected when occupied.
98 Stat. 2192
USSS authorized to investigate credit card and
1984
computer fraud.
98 Stat. 3110
Congress authorizes a specific list of individuals to
1984
be protected by USSS, including the President, Vice
President, and their immediate families.
104 Stat. 1427
Congress authorizes USSS to conduct civil and
1990
criminal investigations into crimes against federally
insured financial institutions.
108 Stat. 2043
Congress mandates that USSS provide technical and
1994
analytical assistance to the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children.
108 Stat. 2413
Congress modifies authorities concerning protection
1994
of former Presidents and their spouses by limiting the
protection to ten years following the date the
President leaves office.
114 Stat. 2716
Congress authorizes USSS to plan, coordinate, and
2000
implement security at National Special Security
Events, and established the National Threat
Assessment Center within the Service.
115 Stat. 277
Congress authorizes USSS to establish electronic
2001
crimes taskforces.
116 Stat. 2224
Congress transfers USSS to DHS as a “distinct
2002
entity.”

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