White House wants $74 million security boost after Kirk shooting
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The request to include the extra funding in an upcoming stopgap Bill comes ahead of a Sept 30 deadline, when the current federal spending law runs out.
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WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is asking Congress for an extra US$58 million (S$74 million) to bolster security for the executive and judicial branches, following the fatal shooting of conservative figure Charlie Kirk,
The request to include the extra funding in an upcoming stopgap Bill comes ahead of a Sept 30 deadline, when the current federal spending law runs out. Punchbowl News first reported on the funding request.
The administration also signalled support for expanding resources to safeguard lawmakers, though it left the specifics of that decision to the legislative branch, the outlet reported.
Mr Kirk’s shooting at a university event in Utah this week has raised new fears about the safety of public officials, particularly after an assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump during the presidential campaign in 2024.
Republicans are pushing for a short-term spending Bill to keep the government open in October, but have so far rejected demands from Democrats to include healthcare provisions in any extension. Republicans will need to secure votes from Democrats to pass a spending measure.
That sets up a showdown over expiring Obamacare subsidies and other healthcare funding priorities, with Democrats vowing to block any measure that ignores them and some moderate Republicans signalling openness to a deal to avoid steep premium hikes for millions of Americans. BLOOMBERG
