Reps. Kustoff, Williams introduce bill to return Secret Service to Treasury Department oversight

U.S. Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Roger Williams (R-TX) recently introduced the U.S. Secret Service Mission Improvement and Realignment Act of 2022 (H.R. 7689) that would place the U.S. Secret Service back under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The Secret Service is currently housed within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Founded in 1865 by President Abraham Lincoln, the Secret Service historically had its roots in the Treasury. It was created to combat the rise of counterfeit currency following the Civil War.

“The Department of the Treasury is a better fit for the Secret Service, as the main responsibility of the agency is to combat financial crimes and counter critical criminal threats to the U.S. financial systems,” Kustoff said.

However, the function of the Secret Service changed over time, particularly following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The Secret Service was rehomed under the DHS umbrella following the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

“Returning the Secret Service to the U.S. Treasury will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its investigations and bolster its capability to combat illicit finance and cybercrime,” Kustoff added. “I appreciate my friend, Congressman Roger Williams, for joining me in introducing the U.S. Secret Service Mission Improvement and Realignment Act of 2022. It will further strengthen the agency’s mission and ensure our agents have the necessary tools to protect the U.S. financial system and keep our country safe.”

The bill has been referred to the House Committees on the Judiciary and Homeland Security. Williams attempted a similar bill in 2020, but the legislation never progressed.