Legislative Evolution of U.S. Secret Service (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Report Number |
R48138 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Shawn Reese |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Counterfeiting of U.S. currency after the Civil War and attacks against political leaders provided
the impetus for the formation of the U.S. Secret Service, a federal agency established through
President Abraham Lincoln’s executive action, and later provided annual appropriations by
Congress. This report provides information on the historical and legislative evolution of the U.S.
Secret Service, including its investigation and protection missions, and includes data concerning
selected U.S. Secret Service-related legislation, generally, and the Service’s protection mission,
specifically.
The U.S. Secret Service (USSS), now part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has
two missions—criminal investigations and protection. 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 more publicly visible mission, and provides personal and property protection to 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. Protective duties of the
Service also extend to certain foreign missions in the District of Columbia (such as embassies,
consulates, and foreign dignitary residences), as well as to additional presidentially-designated
individuals, such as the Homeland Security Secretary and visiting foreign dignitaries. Separate
from these mandated assignments, USSS is also responsible for certain security activities
including those involving National Special Security Events (NSSEs), such as presidential
inaugurations, the major party quadrennial national conventions, and international conferences
held in the United States.
