Politics

Obama signs bill giving himself lifetime Secret Service protection

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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President Barack Obama signed a bill into law on Thursday guaranteeing himself Secret Service protection for the rest of his life.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said Obama signed the “Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012” on Thursday. The law affects Obama, former President George W. Bush and future presidents, who under current law would only be protected for 10 years after leaving office.

According to the press secretary’s office, the law “restores lifetime Secret Service protection of former Presidents who did not serve as President prior to January 1, 1997, and their spouses; and provides for protection of all children of former Presidents until they become 16 years of age.”

Republican South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy introduced the bill in the House.

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