Overview

Title

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates with a justification for candidate protection determinations, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

The Counter SNIPER Act is a rule that says if someone running for President or Vice President asks for security guards and doesn't get them, the people in charge have to explain why. Also, the people giving out the security have to be chosen by the President and agreed upon by the Senate.

Summary AI

S. 5245, also known as the “Counter Secretary Negligence In Protecting Election Runners Act” or the “Counter SNIPER Act”, aims to improve the transparency of protection determinations for Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates. The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide a written explanation if a candidate's request for protection or additional resources is denied. Candidates can request a reconsideration of the decision, and the Secretary must respond with a final determination. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Director of the United States Secret Service is to be appointed by the President with Senate approval.

Published

2024-09-25
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-09-25
Package ID: BILLS-118s5245is

Keywords AI

presidential protection vice presidential protection secret service homeland security candidate protection determinations counter sniper act presidential candidates vice presidential candidates senate approval homeland security secretary decisions

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
528
Pages:
3
Sentences:
13

Language

Nouns: 155
Verbs: 44
Adjectives: 34
Adverbs: 3
Numbers: 17
Entities: 26

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.64
Average Sentence Length:
40.62
Token Entropy:
4.58
Readability (ARI):
24.43

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the "Counter Secretary Negligence In Protecting Election Runners Act" or "Counter SNIPER Act," introduced by Senator Cruz on September 25, 2024, seeks to establish a clearer process within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for how protection determinations for Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates are justified and communicated. The bill mandates that if the Secretary of Homeland Security decides a candidate is ineligible for a protective detail, they must provide a written rationale to the candidate and an advisory committee. Additionally, candidates have the right to request a reevaluation of this decision. The bill also stipulates that the Director of the United States Secret Service should be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Summary of Significant Issues

Several key issues emerge from this bill:

  1. Sensational Naming: The title "Counter SNIPER Act" might be perceived as inflammatory or aggressive due to its acronym. This choice could impact how the bill is received and understood by the public and stakeholders.

  2. Lack of Transparency and Specificity: The bill does not specify the criteria used to determine a candidate's eligibility for protection. This lack of transparency might lead to inconsistent and potentially arbitrary decisions.

  3. Absence of an Appeals Process: There is no provision for an independent appeals process if a candidate disagrees with the determination, leaving limited recourse for those who feel unjustly denied protection.

  4. Undefined Role of the Advisory Committee: The text does not clearly define the role or powers of the advisory committee in overseeing and reviewing protection determinations, which may lead to concerns about accountability.

  5. Brevity and Implications: The overall shortness of the bill leaves much open to interpretation, hindering a comprehensive understanding of potential financial implications or enforcement challenges.

Potential Impacts on the Public

The bill primarily impacts Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates by establishing a more formalized process for protection decisions. By requiring justification for protection determinations, it could lead to greater transparency and accountability within DHS, potentially enhancing public trust. However, the bill could also lead to public skepticism if the sensational nature of its acronym distracts from its substantive goals.

Potential Impacts on Specific Stakeholders

Candidates: The bill provides a formal avenue for candidates to receive and contest DHS decisions regarding their protection, which could enhance perceptions of fairness and due process. However, the lack of specific eligibility criteria may result in uncertainty about protection availability.

Department of Homeland Security: The DHS will be required to document and justify their protection decisions more rigorously, which could increase administrative workloads. Clear guidelines and criteria would need to be developed to implement this bill effectively.

United States Secret Service: The confirmation requirement for the Director's appointment may increase the agency's transparency and credibility, as Senate confirmation could provide an additional layer of scrutiny.

Overall, the bill seeks to address important gaps in the current system but would benefit from additional specificity and safeguards to ensure its effectiveness and fairness.

Issues

  • The use of the name 'Counter Secretary Negligence In Protecting Election Runners Act' or 'Counter SNIPER Act' (Section 1) could be seen as sensational or inflammatory, leading to misunderstandings about the nature and intent of the bill. The use of 'SNIPER' as an acronym may be perceived as aggressive or inappropriate, impacting public perception or stirring controversy.

  • Section 2 lacks transparency and specificity regarding the criteria used by the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine eligibility for protective detail. Without clear criteria, there is a risk of arbitrary or inconsistent decisions, raising potential legal and ethical concerns.

  • There is no mention in Section 2 of an appeals process or secondary review by an independent body if a Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate disagrees with the determination. This absence could lead to disputes and limit recourse for candidates who feel unjustly denied protection.

  • The role of the advisory committee in Section 2's decision-making process is not clearly defined, potentially leaving gaps in oversight or accountability. This could raise ethical or procedural concerns about how candidate protection determinations are reviewed and enforced.

  • The bill's brevity, especially in Section 1, makes it difficult to assess for any specific financial implications or identify favoritism. Without further context, the enforcement and implications of the Act remain vague.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of this Act provides its short title, which is the "Counter Secretary Negligence In Protecting Election Runners Act" or simply the "Counter SNIPER Act".

2. Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate protection Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The text amends Section 3056 of title 18, United States Code, to include a process where the Secretary of Homeland Security must notify Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates if they are not eligible for protective services and allow candidates to request reconsideration. Additionally, it specifies that the Director of the United States Secret Service will be appointed by the President with Senate approval.