Trey Gowdy: “I would like to first thank Chairman Lamar Smith. This may be my last opportunity to thank him for his service as…”

“I would like to first thank Chairman Lamar Smith. This may be my last opportunity to thank him for his service as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, not just for this bill but for the work he's done in the full 2 years. He has done a fantastic job, and I would like to thank the chairman for that. Mr. Speaker, two things are clear: protection, security, and public safety--those are the fundamental obligations of government; and, secondly, we live in an increasingly dangerous world with increasing threats against our citizens and targets that are viewed as high profile. For those reasons, Mr. Speaker, and others, I earnestly believe those who serve this country as President should never have to worry about their personal safety. Under current law, protection for President Obama and President George W. Bush will cease after 10 years. Both men are young, enjoy good health, and have long lives ahead of them post-Presidency. This bill proposes to extend that security for the remainder of their lives. There's an unintended anomaly, Mr. Speaker, that if current law were not changed, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and Laura Bush would receive more protections by virtue of being First Lady than they would if they had served as President themselves. So I hope my colleagues will make sure that the person and the symbol of our Presidency is safe and secure for the duration of their natural lives.”