§ 3056. Powers, authorities, and duties of United
States Secret Service
(a) Under the direction of the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the United States Secret
Service is authorized to protect the following
persons:
(1) The President, the Vice President (or
other officer next in the order of succession to
the Office of President), the President-elect,
and the Vice President-elect.
(2) The immediate families of those individ-
uals listed in paragraph (1).
(3) Former Presidents and their spouses for
their lifetimes, except that protection of a
spouse shall terminate in the event of remar-
riage.
(4) Children of a former President who are
under 16 years of age.
(5) Visiting heads of foreign states or foreign
governments.
(6) Other distinguished foreign visitors to
the United States and official representatives
of the United States performing special mis-
sions abroad when the President directs that
such protection be provided.
(7) Major Presidential and Vice Presidential
candidates and, within 120 days of the general
Presidential election, the spouses of such can-
didates. As used in this paragraph, the term
‘‘major Presidential and Vice Presidential
candidates’’ means those individuals identified
as such by the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity after consultation with an advisory com-
mittee consisting of the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, the minority leader of the
House of Representatives, the majority and
minority leaders of the Senate, and one addi-
tional member selected by the other members
of the committee. The Committee shall not be
subject to chapter 10 of title 5.
(8) Former Vice Presidents, their spouses,
and their children who are under 16 years of
age, for a period of not more than six months
after the date the fo
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Authority boundary: historical or unconfirmed source not current law verified.
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Page 693
TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 3056
1 See References in Text note below.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 817.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Based on section 250 of title 25, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Indi-
ans (Aug. 24, 1912, ch. 388, § 1, 37 Stat. 519).
The only change was to delete the words at the begin-
ning of the section, ‘‘The powers conferred by section
504 of title 28 upon marshals and their deputies are con-
ferred upon.’’ and the addition, at the end of the sec-
tion, of the phrase expressing such powers beginning
with the words ‘‘may execute all warrants’’.
§ 3056. Powers, authorities, and duties of United
States Secret Service
(a) Under the direction of the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the United States Secret
Service is authorized to protect the following
persons:
(1) The President, the Vice President (or
other officer next in the order of succession to
the Office of President), the President-elect,
and the Vice President-elect.
(2) The immediate families of those individ-
uals listed in paragraph (1).
(3) Former Presidents and their spouses for
their lifetimes, except that protection of a
spouse shall terminate in the event of remar-
riage.
(4) Children of a former President who are
under 16 years of age.
(5) Visiting heads of foreign states or foreign
governments.
(6) Other distinguished foreign visitors to
the United States and official representatives
of the United States performing special mis-
sions abroad when the President directs that
such protection be provided.
(7) Major Presidential and Vice Presidential
candidates and, within 120 days of the general
Presidential election, the spouses of such can-
didates. As used in this paragraph, the term
‘‘major Presidential and Vice Presidential
candidates’’ means those individuals identified
as such by the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity after consultation with an advisory com-
mittee consisting of the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, the minority leader of the
House of Representatives, the majority and
minority leaders of the Senate, and one addi-
tional member selected by the other members
of the committee. The Committee shall not be
subject to chapter 10 of title 5.
(8) Former Vice Presidents, their spouses,
and their children who are under 16 years of
age, for a period of not more than six months
after the date the former Vice President
leaves office. The Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity shall have the authority to direct the
Secret Service to provide temporary protec-
tion for any of these individuals at any time
thereafter if the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity or designee determines that information
or conditions warrant such protection.
The protection authorized in paragraphs (2)
through (8) may be declined.
(b) Under the direction of the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the Secret Service is au-
thorized to detect and arrest any person who
violates—
(1) section 508, 509, 510, 871, or 879 of this title
or, with respect to the Federal Deposit Insur-
ance Corporation, Federal land banks, and
Federal land bank associations, section 213,
216,1 433, 493, 657, 709, 1006, 1007, 1011, 1013, 1014,
1907, or 1909 of this title;
(2) any of the laws of the United States re-
lating to coins, obligations, and securities of
the United States and of foreign governments;
or
(3) any of the laws of the United States re-
lating to electronic fund transfer frauds, ac-
cess device frauds, false identification docu-
ments or devices, and any fraud or other
criminal or unlawful activity in or against
any federally insured financial institution; ex-
cept that the authority conferred by this para-
graph shall be exercised subject to the agree-
ment of the Attorney General and the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security and shall not af-
fect the authority of any other Federal law en-
forcement agency with respect to those laws.
(c)(1) Under the direction of the Secretary of
Homeland Security, officers and agents of the
Secret Service are authorized to—
(A) execute warrants issued under the laws
of the United States;
(B) carry firearms;
(C) make arrests without warrant for any of-
fense against the United States committed in
their presence, or for any felony cognizable
under the laws of the United States if they
have reasonable grounds to believe that the
person to be arrested has committed or is
committing such felony;
(D) offer and pay rewards for services and in-
formation leading to the apprehension of per-
sons involved in the violation or potential vio-
lation of those provisions of law which the Se-
cret Service is authorized to enforce;
(E) pay expenses for unforeseen emergencies
of a confidential nature under the direction of
the Secretary of Homeland Security and ac-
counted for solely on the Secretary’s certifi-
cate; and
(F) perform such other functions and duties
as are authorized by law.
(2) Funds expended from appropriations avail-
able to the Secret Service for the purchase of
counterfeits and subsequently recovered shall be
reimbursed to the appropriations available to
the Secret Service at the time of the reimburse-
ment.
(d) Whoever knowingly and willfully ob-
structs, resists, or interferes with a Federal law
enforcement agent engaged in the performance
of the protective functions authorized by this
section or by section 1752 of this title shall be
fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not
more than one year, or both.
(e)(1) When directed by the President, the
United States Secret Service is authorized to
participate, under the direction of the Secretary
of Homeland Security, in the planning, coordi-
nation, and implementation of security oper-
ations at special events of national significance,
as determined by the President.
(2) At the end of each fiscal year, the Presi-
dent through such agency or office as the Presi-
dent may designate, shall report to the Con-
gress—
Page 694
TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 3056
(A) what events, if any, were designated spe-
cial events of national significance for secu-
rity purposes under paragraph (1); and
(B) the criteria and information used in
making each designation.
(f) Under the direction of the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the Secret Service is au-
thorized, at the request of any State or local law
enforcement agency in conjunction with an in-
vestigation, or at the request of the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children, to
provide forensic and investigative assistance.
(g) The United States Secret Service shall be
maintained as a distinct entity within the De-
partment of Homeland Security and shall not be
merged with any other Department function. No
personnel and operational elements of the
United States Secret Service shall report to an
individual other than the Director of the United
States Secret Service, who shall report directly
to the Secretary of Homeland Security without
being required to report through any other offi-
cial of the Department.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 818; July 16, 1951,
ch. 226, § 4, 65 Stat. 122; Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1143, § 2,
68 Stat. 999; Pub. L. 86–168, title I, § 104(h), Aug.
18, 1959, 73 Stat. 387; Pub. L. 87–791, Oct. 10, 1962,
76 Stat. 809; Pub. L. 87–829, § 3, Oct. 15, 1962, 76
Stat. 956; Pub. L. 89–186, Sept. 15, 1965, 79 Stat.
791; Pub. L. 89–218, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 890;
Pub. L. 90–608, ch. XI, § 1101, Oct. 21, 1968, 82 Stat.
1198; Pub. L. 91–644, title V, § 19, Jan. 2, 1971, 84
Stat. 1892; Pub. L. 91–651, § 4, Jan. 5, 1971, 84 Stat.
1941; Pub. L. 93–346, § 8, July 12, 1974, as added
Pub. L. 93–552, title VI, § 609(a), Dec. 27, 1974, 88
Stat. 1765; Pub. L. 94–408, § 2, Sept. 11, 1976, 90
Stat. 1239; Pub. L. 97–297, § 3, Oct. 12, 1982, 96
Stat. 1318; Pub. L. 97–308, § 2, Oct. 14, 1982, 96
Stat. 1452; Pub. L. 98–151, § 115(b), Nov. 14, 1983, 97
Stat. 977; Pub. L. 98–587, § 1(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98
Stat. 3110; Pub. L. 103–329, title V, § 530, Sept. 30,
1994, 108 Stat. 2412; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI,
§ 605(i), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3510; Pub. L.
106–544, § 3, Dec. 19, 2000, 114 Stat. 2716; Pub. L.
107–56, title V, § 506(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 367;
Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1703(a)(1), Nov. 25,
2002, 116 Stat. 2313; Pub. L. 108–21, title III, § 322,
Apr. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 665; Pub. L. 109–177, title
VI, §§ 604, 607, 608(a), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 253,
256; Pub. L. 110–326, title I, § 102, Sept. 26, 2008,
122 Stat. 3560; Pub. L. 112–257, § 2, Jan. 10, 2013,
126 Stat. 2413; Pub. L. 115–393, title II, § 203, Dec.
21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5271; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(135),
Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4320.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 148, and on sec-
tions 264(x) and 986 of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks
and Banking (Dec. 23, 1913, ch. 6, § 12B, subsection (x),
as added June 16, 1933, ch. 89, § 8, 48 Stat. 178; July 17,
1916, ch. 245, § 31, sixth paragraph, 39 Stat. 382 (384); Dec.
11, 1926, ch. 2, § 3, 44 Stat. 918; Aug. 23, 1935, ch. 614, § 101,
49 Stat. 684, 703).
Section consolidates said section 148 of title 18,
U.S.C., 1940 ed., and said sections 264(x) and 986 of title
12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and Banking.
Said section 148 of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Banks and
Banking, was concerned with offenses relating to coun-
terfeiting and passing, etc., of transportation requests
and to the unlawful possession or making of plates,
stones, etc., used in making such requests, which were
defined in sections 146 and 147 of said title 18, now sec-
tions 508 and 509 of this title.
Said sections 264(x) and 986 of title 12, U.S.C., 1940 ed.,
Banks and Banking, were concerned with various of-
fenses as defined in sections 981–985, 987 of said title 12,
relating to Federal land banks, joint-stock land banks
and national farm loan associations, and as defined in
section 264 of said title 12 relating to the Federal De-
posit Insurance Corporation. All of the provisions of
said sections 981–985, 987 of said title 12, and the crimi-
nal provisions of said section 264 of said title 12, were
transferred to this title where they were, in some in-
stances, consolidated with similar provisions from
other sections. Such provisions are now incorporated in
sections 218, 221, 433, 493, 657, 709, 1006, 1007, 1011, 1013,
1014, 1907, and 1909 of this title. In most instances, these
sections, as the result of the consolidations, relate to
other organizations as well as those mentioned above,
but, by enumerating the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, Federal land banks, joint-stock land
banks, and national farm loan associations in this sec-
tion, the powers of the Secret Service are not broad-
ened beyond what they were in said sections 264(x) and
986 of said title 12.
In this section, the wording of said section 148 of title
18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., and section 986 of title 12, U.S.C.,
1940 ed., Banks and Banking reading ‘‘The Secretary of
the Treasury is hereby authorized to direct and use the
Secret Service Division of the Treasury Department’’
was adopted, rather than the wording of said section
264(x) of said title 12, which read ‘‘The Secret Service
Division of the Treasury Department is authorized.’’
Words ‘‘of the United States marshal having jurisdic-
tion’’, following ‘‘custody’’ in all three of said sections,
were omitted as surplusage.
Changes were made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 216 of this title, referred to in subsec. (b)(1),
was repealed by Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 1107(b), Oct. 12,
1984, 98 Stat. 2146.
AMENDMENTS
2022—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted ‘‘chap-
ter 10 of title 5.’’ for ‘‘the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2).’’
2018—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–393 inserted ‘‘in conjunc-
tion with an investigation’’ after ‘‘local law enforce-
ment agency’’ and struck out before period at end ‘‘in
support of any investigation involving missing or ex-
ploited children’’.
2013—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–257, § 2(a), struck out
provisions limiting protection for certain former Presi-
dents and their spouses to ten years from the date a
former President leaves office, with certain exceptions,
and authorizing the provision of temporary protection
if determined to be warranted by the Secretary of
Homeland Security.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 112–257, § 2(b), struck out ‘‘for a
period not to exceed ten years or upon the child becom-
ing 16 years of age, whichever comes first’’ after ‘‘16
years of age’’.
2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–326, § 102(2), substituted
‘‘(8)’’ for ‘‘(7)’’ in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 110–326, § 102(1), added par. (8).
2006—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 109–177, § 608(a), which di-
rected amendment of subsec. (a)(7) by inserting ‘‘The
Committee shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2).’’ after ‘‘other mem-
bers of the Committee.’’, was executed by making the
insertion after ‘‘other members of the committee.’’, to
reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–177, § 604, substituted ‘‘the Se-
cret Service is’’ for ‘‘officers and agents of the Secret
Service are’’.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–177, § 607, added subsec. (g).
2003—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–21 added subsec. (f).
2002—Subsecs. (a) to (c)(1), (e)(1). Pub. L. 107–296 sub-
stituted ‘‘of Homeland Security’’ for ‘‘of the Treasury’’
wherever appearing.
Page 695
TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 3056
2001—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 107–56 substituted ‘‘access
device frauds, false identification documents or de-
vices, and any fraud or other criminal or unlawful ac-
tivity in or against any federally insured financial in-
stitution’’ for ‘‘credit and debit card frauds, and false
identification documents or devices’’.
2000—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106–544 added subsec. (e).
1996—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 104–294 redesignated sub-
pars. (1) and (2) as (A) and (B), respectively, and re-
aligned margins.
1994—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103–329, § 530(a), inserted
before period at end ‘‘unless the former President did
not serve as President prior to January 1, 1997, in which
case, former Presidents and their spouses for a period
of not more than ten years from the date a former
President leaves office, except that—
‘‘(1) protection of a spouse shall terminate in the
event of remarriage or the divorce from, or death of
a former President; and
‘‘(2) should the death of a President occur while in
office or within one year after leaving office, the
spouse shall receive protection for one year from the
time of such death:
Provided, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall have
the authority to direct the Secret Service to provide
temporary protection for any of these individuals at
any time if the Secretary of the Treasury or designee
determines that information or conditions warrant
such protection’’.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 103–329, § 530(b), inserted before
period at end ‘‘for a period not to exceed ten years or
upon the child becoming 16 years of age, whichever
comes first’’.
1984—Pub. L. 98–587 amended section generally, pro-
viding authority for the Secret Service to conduct
criminal investigations of, make arrests in, and present
for prosecutorial consideration, cases relating to elec-
tronic fund transfer frauds, and providing the Secret
Service with authority to conduct investigations and
make arrests relating to credit and debit card frauds,
and false identification documents and devices, to be
exercised subject to the agreement of the Attorney
General and the Secretary of the Treasury.
1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–151 inserted reference to
section 510 of this section in fifth clause.
1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–297, § 3(1), substituted
‘‘871, and 879 of this title’’ for ‘‘and 871 of this title’’.
Pub. L. 97–297, § 3(2), substituted ‘‘and Federal land
bank associations are concerned, of sections 213, 216’’
for ‘‘, joint-stock land banks and Federal land bank as-
sociations are concerned, of sections 218, 221’’.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–308 increased the limitation on
fines to $1,000 from $300.
1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–408 substituted ‘‘, and
the members of their immediate families unless the
members decline such protection;’’ for ‘‘; protect the
members of the immediate family of the Vice-Presi-
dent, unless such protection is declined;’’.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–408 inserted reference to other
Federal law enforcement agents.
1974—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–552 inserted provisions
relating to the protection of the immediate family of
the Vice President unless declined, and the payment of
expenses for unforeseen emergencies of a confidential
nature under the direction of the Secretary of the
Treasury and accounted for solely on his certificate.
1971—Pub. L. 91–651 authorized the Secret Service to
protect the person of a visiting head of a foreign state
or foreign government and, at the direction of the
President, other distinguished foreign visitors to the
United States and official representatives of the United
States performing special missions abroad, and sub-
stituted ‘‘Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Direc-
tors, Assistants to the Director’’ for ‘‘Chief, Deputy
Chief, Assistant Chief’’.
Pub. L. 91–644 designated existing provisions as sub-
sec. (a) and added subsec. (b).
1968—Pub. L. 90–608 substituted the death or remar-
riage of a former President’s widow and the attainment
by his minor children of age 16 for the passage of a pe-
riod of four years after he leaves or dies in office as the
events terminating Secret Service protection for the
widow and minor children, respectively, of a former
President.
1965—Pub. L. 89–218 authorized the Chief, Deputy
Chief, Assistant Chief, inspectors, and agents of the Se-
cret Service to make arrests without warrant for of-
fenses committed against the United States in their
presence or for any felony cognizable under the laws of
the United States if they have reasonable grounds to
believe that the person to be arrested has committed or
is committing the felony and substituted ‘‘508, 509, and
871’’ for ‘‘508 and 509’’.
Pub. L. 89–186 substituted provision for the protection
of the person of a former President and his wife during
his lifetime and the person of a widow and minor chil-
dren of a former President for a period of four years
after he leaves or dies in office, unless the protection is
declined, for provision calling for the protection of a
former President, at his request, for a reasonable pe-
riod after he leaves office.
1962—Pub. L. 87–829 authorized the protection of the
Vice President, without requiring his request therefor,
and any officer next in the order of succession to the
office of President, the Vice-President-elect, and of a
former president, at his request, for a reasonable period
after he leaves office.
Pub. L. 87–791 required moneys expended from Secret
Service appropriations for the purchase of counterfeits
and subsequently recovered to be reimbursed to the ap-
propriation current at the time of deposit.
1959—Pub. L. 86–168 substituted ‘‘Federal land bank
associations’’ for ‘‘national farm loan associations’’.
1954—Act Aug. 31, 1954, struck out ‘‘detect, and arrest
any person violating any laws of the United States di-
rectly concerning official matters administered by and
under the direct control of the Treasury Department’’.
1951—Act July 16, 1951, provided basic authority for
the Secret Service to perform certain functions and ac-
tivities heretofore carried out by virtue of authority
contained in appropriation acts.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 110–326, title I, § 103, Sept. 26, 2008, 122 Stat.
3560, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this Act
[probably should be ‘‘title’’, meaning title I of Pub. L.
110–326, which amended this section and enacted provi-
sions set out as a note under section 1 of this title]
shall apply with respect to any Vice President holding
office on or after the date of enactment of the Act
[Sept. 26, 2008].’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1703(b), Nov. 25, 2002, 116
Stat. 2314, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
this section [amending this section and former sections
202 and 208 of Title 3, The President] shall take effect
on the date of transfer of the United States Secret
Service to the Department [of Homeland Security].’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1974 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 93–552, title VI, § 609(b), Dec. 27, 1974, 88 Stat.
1765, provided that: ‘‘Except as otherwise provided
therein, the amendment made by subsection (a) of this
section [amending this section, former section 202 of
Title 3, The President, and provisions set out as a note
under section 111 of Title 3] shall become effective July
12, 1974.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1959 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 86–168 effective Dec. 31, 1959,
see section 104(k) of Pub. L. 86–168.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of the functions, personnel, assets, and
obligations of the United States Secret Service, includ-
Page 696
TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 3056
ing the functions of the Secretary of the Treasury re-
lating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security,
and for treatment of related references, see sections
381, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security,
and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganiza-
tion Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as
a note under section 542 of Title 6.
PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY
Pub. L. 118–91, Oct. 1, 2024, 138 Stat. 1560, provided
that:
‘‘SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
‘‘This Act may be cited as the ‘Enhanced Presidential
Security Act of 2024’.
‘‘SEC. 2. UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR SECRET SERV-
ICE PROTECTION OF PRESIDENTS, VICE PRESI-
DENTS, AND MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.
‘‘The Director of the United States Secret Service
shall apply the same standards for determining the
number of agents required to protect Presidents, Vice
Presidents, and major Presidential and Vice Presi-
dential candidates.
‘‘SEC. 3. REPORT.
‘‘Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act [Oct. 1, 2024], the Director of the United
States Secret Service shall conduct a comprehensive
review of the provision of protection by the Secret
Service for Presidents, Vice Presidents, former Presi-
dents, and major Presidential and Vice Presidential
candidates, and submit to the Committee on the Judi-
ciary of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report that in-
cludes the findings from such review, along with any
recommendations for improving the provision of pro-
tection.
‘‘SEC. 4. DEFINITION.
‘‘In this Act, the term ‘major Presidential and Vice
Presidential candidates’ has the meaning given such
term in section 3056 of title 18, United States Code, and
includes any other Presidential or Vice Presidential
candidate for whom the President has otherwise au-
thorized the Secret Service to protect.’’
Pub. L. 94–524, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2475, as amended
by Pub. L. 99–190, § 143, Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1324; Pub.
L. 101–136, title V, § 527, Nov. 3, 1989, 103 Stat. 815; Pub.
L. 101–509, title V, § 531(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1469;
Pub. L. 102–141, title V, § 533, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 867;
Pub. L. 104–52, title V, § 529, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 496;
Pub. L. 104–316, title I, § 109(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat.
3832, provided: ‘‘That this Act may be cited as the
‘Presidential Protection Assistance Act of 1976’.
‘‘SEC. 2. As used in this Act the term—
‘‘(1) ‘Secret Service’ means the United States Se-
cret Service, the Department of the Treasury;
‘‘(2) ‘Director’ means the Director of the Secret
Service;
‘‘(3) ‘protectee’ means any person eligible to receive
the protection authorized by section 3056 of title 18,
United States Code, or Public Law 90–331 (82 Stat. 170)
[formerly set out as a note below];
‘‘(4) ‘Executive departments’ has the same meaning
as provided in section 101 of title 5, United States
Code;
‘‘(5) ‘Executive agencies’ has the same meaning as
provided in section 105 of title 5, United States Code;
‘‘(6) ‘Coast Guard’ means the United States Coast
Guard, Department of Transportation or such other
Executive department or Executive agency to which
the United States Coast Guard may subsequently be
transferred;
‘‘(7) ‘duties’ means all responsibilities of an Execu-
tive department or Executive agency relating to the
protection of any protectee; and
‘‘(8) ‘non-Governmental property’ means any prop-
erty owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise utilized by
a protectee which is not owned or controlled by the
Government of the United States of America.
‘‘SEC. 3. (a) Each protectee may designate one non-
governmental property to be fully secured by the Se-
cret Service on a permanent basis.
‘‘(b) A protectee may thereafter designate a different
non-Governmental property in lieu of the non-Govern-
mental property previously designated under sub-
section (a) (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the
‘previously designated property’) as the one non-Gov-
ernmental property to be fully secured by the Secret
Service on a permanent basis under subsection (a).
Thereafter, any expenditures by the Secret Service to
maintain a permanent guard detail or for permanent
facilities, equipment, and services to secure the non-
Governmental property previously designated under
subsection (a) shall be subject to the limitations im-
posed under section 4.
‘‘(c) For the purposes of this section, where two or
more
protectees
share
the
same
domicile,
such
protectees shall be deemed a single protectee.
‘‘SEC. 4. Expenditures by the Secret Service for main-
taining a permanent guard detail and for permanent fa-
cilities, equipment, and services to secure any non-
Governmental property in addition to the one non-Gov-
ernmental property designated by each protectee under
subsection 3(a) or 3(b) may not exceed a cumulative
total of $200,000 at each such additional non-Govern-
mental property, unless expenditures in excess of that
amount are specifically approved by resolutions adopt-
ed by the Committees on Appropriations of the House
and Senate, respectively.
‘‘SEC. 5. (a) All improvements and other items ac-
quired by the Federal Government and used for the pur-
pose of securing any non-Governmental property in the
performance of the duties of the Secret Service shall be
the property of the United States.
‘‘(b) Upon termination of Secret Service protection at
any non-Governmental property all such improvements
and other items shall be removed from the non-Govern-
mental property unless the Director determines that it
would not be economically feasible to do so; except
that such improvements and other items shall be re-
moved and the non-Governmental property shall be re-
stored to its original state if the owner of such prop-
erty at the time of termination requests the removal of
such improvements or other items. If any such im-
provements or other items are not removed, the owner
of the non-Governmental property at the time of termi-
nation shall compensate the United States for the
original cost of such improvements or other items or
for the amount by which they have increased the fair
market value of the property, as determined by the Di-
rector, as of the date of termination, whichever is less.
‘‘(c) In the event that any non-Governmental prop-
erty becomes a previously designated property and Se-
cret Service protection at that property has not been
terminated, all such improvements and other items
which the Director determines are not necessary to se-
cure the previously designated property within the lim-
itations imposed under section 4 shall be removed or
compensated for in accordance with the procedures set
forth under Subsection (b) of this section.
‘‘SEC. 6. Executive departments and Executive agen-
cies shall assist the Secret Service in the performance
of its duties by providing services, equipment, and fa-
cilities on a temporary and reimbursable basis when re-
quested by the Director and on a permanent and reim-
bursable basis upon advance written request of the Di-
rector; except that the Department of Defense and the
Coast Guard shall provide such assistance on a tem-
porary basis without reimbursement when assisting the
Secret Service in its duties directly related to the pro-
tection of the President or the Vice President or other
officer immediately next in order of succession to the
office of the President.
‘‘SEC. 7. No services, equipment, or facilities may be
ordered, purchased, leased, or otherwise procured for
the purposes of carrying out the duties of the Secret
Service by persons other than officers or employees of
the Federal Government duly authorized by the Direc-
tor to make such orders, purchases, leases, or procure-
ments.
Page 697
TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 3056
‘‘SEC. 8. No funds may be expended or obligated for
the purpose of carrying out the purposes of section 3056
of title 18, United States Code, and section 1 of Public
Law 90–331 [formerly set out as a note below] other
than funds specifically appropriated to the Secret Serv-
ice for those purposes with the exception of—
‘‘(1) expenditures made by the Department of De-
fense or the Coast Guard from funds appropriated to
the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard in pro-
viding assistance on a temporary basis to the Secret
Service in the performance of its duties directly re-
lated to the protection of the President or the Vice
President or other officer next in order of succession
to the office of the President; and
‘‘(2) expenditures made by Executive departments
and agencies, in providing assistance at the request
of the Secret Service in the performance of its duties,
and which will be reimbursed by the Secret Service
under section 6 of this Act.
‘‘SEC. 9. The Director, the Secretary of Defense, and
the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall each trans-
mit a detailed semi-annual report of expenditures made
pursuant to this Act during the six-month period im-
mediately preceding such report by the Secret Service,
the Department of Defense, and the Coast Guard, re-
spectively, to the Committees on Appropriations, Com-
mittees on the Judiciary, and Committees on Govern-
ment Operations [now Committee on Oversight and Ac-
countability of the House of Representatives and Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
fairs of the Senate] of the House of Representatives and
the Senate, respectively, on March 31 and September
30, of each year.
‘‘SEC. 10. Expenditures made pursuant to this Act
shall be subject to audit by the Comptroller General
and his authorized representatives, who shall have ac-
cess to all records relating to such expenditures. The
Comptroller General shall transmit a report of the re-
sults of any such audit to the Committees on Appro-
priations, Committees on the Judiciary, and Commit-
tees on Government Operations [now Committee on
Oversight and Accountability of the House of Rep-
resentatives and Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate] of the House of
Representatives and the Senate, respectively.
‘‘SEC. 11. Section 2 of Public Law 90–331 (82 Stat. 170)
[formerly set out as a note below] is repealed.
‘‘SEC. 12. In carrying out the protection of the Presi-
dent of the United States, pursuant to section 3056(a) of
title 18, at the one non-governmental property des-
ignated by the President of the United States to be
fully secured by the United States Secret Service on a
permanent basis, as provided in section 3.(a) of Public
Law 94–524 [section 3(a) of this note], or at an airport
facility used for travel en route to or from such
property[,] the Secretary of the Treasury may utilize,
with their consent, the law enforcement services, per-
sonnel, equipment, and facilities of the affected State
and local governments. Further, the Secretary of the
Treasury is authorized to reimburse such State and
local governments for the utilization of such services,
personnel, equipment, and facilities. All claims for
such reimbursement by the affected governments will
be submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury on a
quarterly basis. Expenditures for this reimbursement
are authorized not to exceed $300,000 at the one non-
governmental property, and $70,000 at the airport facil-
ity, in any one fiscal year: Provided, That the des-
ignated site is located in a municipality or political
subdivision of any State where the permanent resident
population is 7,000 or less and where the absence of such
Federal assistance would place an undue economic bur-
den on the affected State and local governments: Pro-
vided further, That the airport facility is wholly or par-
tially located in a municipality or political subdivison
[sic] of any State where the permanent resident popu-
lation is 7,000 or less, the airport is located within 25
nautical miles of the designated nongovernmental
property, and where the absence of such Federal assist-
ance would place an undue economic burden on the af-
fected State and local governments.’’
[For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and
assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities
and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relat-
ing thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security,
and for treatment of related references, see sections
468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Secu-
rity, and the Department of Homeland Security Reor-
ganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.]
USE OF FUNDS FOR UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
PROTECTION
Pub. L. 109–295, title V, § 517(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat.
1380, as amended by Pub. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 517,
Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2073, provided that: ‘‘For fiscal
year 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Director
of the United States Secret Service may enter into an
agreement to perform protection of a Federal official
other than a person granted protection under section
3056(a) of title 18, United States Code, on a fully reim-
bursable basis.’’
FUNDS FOR TRAINING
Pub. L. 108–90, title II, Oct. 1, 2003, 117 Stat. 1145, pro-
vided in part: ‘‘That in fiscal year 2004 and thereafter,
subject to the reimbursement of actual costs to this ac-
count, funds appropriated in this account shall be
available, at the discretion of the Director, for the fol-
lowing: training United States Postal Service law en-
forcement personnel and Postal police officers, training
Federal law enforcement officers, training State and
local government law enforcement officers on a space-
available basis, and training private sector security of-
ficials on a space-available basis’’.
EXPANSION OF NATIONAL ELECTRONIC CRIME TASK
FORCE INITIATIVE
Pub. L. 107–56, title I, § 105, Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 277,
as amended by Pub. L. 109–177, title VI, § 608(b), Mar. 9,
2006, 120 Stat. 256; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(136), Dec. 27,
2022, 136 Stat. 4320, provided that: ‘‘The Director of the
United States Secret Service shall take appropriate ac-
tions to develop a national network of electronic crime
task forces, based on the New York Electronic Crimes
Task Force model, throughout the United States, for
the purpose of preventing, detecting, and investigating
various forms of electronic crimes, including potential
terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure and fi-
nancial payment systems. The electronic crimes task
forces shall not be subject to chapter 10 of title 5,
United States Code.’’
NATIONAL THREAT ASSESSMENT CENTER
Pub. L. 106–544, § 4, Dec. 19, 2000, 114 Stat. 2716, pro-
vided that:
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The United States Secret Serv-
ice (hereafter in this section referred to as the ‘Serv-
ice’), at the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury,
may establish the National Threat Assessment Center
(hereafter in this section referred to as the ‘Center’) as
a unit within the Service.
‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.—The Service may provide the fol-
lowing to Federal, State, and local law enforcement
agencies through the Center:
‘‘(1) Training in the area of threat assessment.
‘‘(2) Consultation on complex threat assessment
cases or plans.
‘‘(3) Research on threat assessment and the preven-
tion of targeted violence.
‘‘(4) Facilitation of information sharing among all
such agencies with protective or public safety respon-
sibilities.
‘‘(5) Programs to promote the standardization of
Federal, State, and local threat assessments and in-
vestigations involving threats.
‘‘(6) Any other activities the Secretary determines
are necessary to implement a comprehensive threat
assessment capability.
‘‘(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 2000], the Service
Page 698
TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 3056A
shall submit a report to the Committees on the Judici-
ary of the Senate and the House of Representatives de-
tailing the manner in which the Center will operate.’’
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT TO UNITED STATES SE-
CRET
SERVICE
BY
WHITE
HOUSE
COMMUNICATIONS
AGENCY
Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(b) [title VIII,
§ 8100], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–71, 3009–108, as
amended by Pub. L. 106–92, § 2, Nov. 9, 1999, 113 Stat.
1309, provided that: ‘‘Beginning in fiscal year 1997 and
thereafter, and notwithstanding any other provision of
law, fixed and mobile telecommunications support
shall be provided by the White House Communications
Agency (WHCA) to the United States Secret Service
(USSS), without reimbursement, in connection with
the Secret Service’s duties directly related to the pro-
tection of the President or the Vice President or other
officer immediately next in order of succession to the
office of the President at the White House Security
Complex in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area
and Camp David, Maryland. For these purposes, the
White House Security Complex includes the White
House, the White House grounds, the Dwight D. Eisen-
hower Executive Office Building, the New Executive Of-
fice Building, the Blair House, the Treasury Building,
and the Vice President’s Residence at the Naval Ob-
servatory.’’
OFF-SET OF COSTS OF PROTECTING FORMER
PRESIDENTS AND SPOUSES
Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title V, § 509],
Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–345, provided that:
‘‘The United States Secret Service may, during the fis-
cal year ending September 30, 1997, and hereafter, ac-
cept donations of money to off-set costs incurred while
protecting former Presidents and spouses of former
Presidents when the former President or spouse travels
for the purpose of making an appearance or speech for
a payment of money or any thing of value.’’
Similar provisions were contained in the following
prior appropriations acts:
Pub. L. 104–52, title V, § 509, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 492.
Pub. L. 103–329, title V, § 514, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat.
2410.
Pub. L. 103–123, title V, § 515, Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat.
1253.
Pub. L. 102–393, title V, § 519, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat.
1759.
Pub. L. 102–141, title V, § 522, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat.
865.
Pub. L. 101–509, title V, § 525, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat.
1426.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OR SPOUSE; PROTECTION
Pub. L. 103–1, Jan. 15, 1993, 107 Stat. 3, provided:
‘‘That—
‘‘(1) the United States Secret Service, in addition to
other duties now provided by law, is authorized to
furnish protection to—
‘‘(A) the person occupying the Office of Vice
President of the United States immediately pre-
ceding January 20, 1993, or
‘‘(B) his spouse,
if the President determines that such person may
thereafter be in significant danger; and
‘‘(2) protection of any such person, pursuant to the
authority provided in paragraph (1), shall continue
only for such period as the President determines, ex-
cept that such protection shall not continue beyond
July 20, 1993, unless otherwise permitted by law.’’
Pub. L. 96–503, Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2740, provided:
‘‘That the United States Secret Service, in addition to
other duties now provided by law, is authorized to fur-
nish protection to (a) the person occupying the Office
of Vice President of the United States immediately
preceding January 20, 1981, or (b) his spouse, if the
President determines that such person may thereafter
be in significant danger: Provided, however, That protec-
tion of any such person shall continue only for such pe-
riod as the President determines and shall not continue
beyond July 20, 1981, unless otherwise permitted by
law.’’
SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION OF FORMER FEDERAL
OFFICIALS
Pub. L. 95–1, Jan. 19, 1977, 91 Stat. 3, provided: ‘‘That
the United States Secret Service, in addition to other
duties now provided by law, is authorized to furnish
protection to a person who (a) as a Federal Government
official has been receiving protection by the United
States Secret Service for a period immediately pre-
ceding January 20, 1977, or (b) as a member of such offi-
cial’s immediate family has been receiving protection
by either the United States Secret Service or other se-
curity personnel of the official’s department imme-
diately preceding January 20, 1977, if the President de-
termines that such person may thereafter be in signifi-
cant danger: Provided, however, That protection of any
such person shall continue only for such period as the
President determines and shall not continue beyond
July 20, 1977, unless otherwise permitted by law.’’
MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL OR VICE PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATES AND SPOUSES; PERSONAL PROTECTION
Pub. L. 90–331, June 6, 1968, 82 Stat. 170, as amended
by Pub. L. 94–408, § 1, Sept. 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 1239; Pub.
L. 94–524, § 11, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2477; Pub. L. 96–329,
Aug. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 1029, which had provided for per-
sonal protection of major presidential or vice presi-
dential candidates and had authorized protection of
spouses commencing not more than 120 days before the
general Presidential election, and appropriated for fis-
cal year ending June 30, 1968, $400,000 for execution of
such provisions, was repealed by Pub. L. 98–587, § 2, Oct.
30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3111. See subsec. (a)(7) of this section.
EXTENSION OF PROTECTION OF PRESIDENT’S WIDOW AND
CHILDREN
Pub. L. 90–145, Nov. 17, 1967, 81 Stat. 466, extended
until Mar. 1, 1969, the authority vested in the United
States Secret Service by section 3056 of this title, as it
existed prior to the amendment in 1968 by Pub. L.
90–608, to protect the widow and minor children of a
former President who were receiving such protection
on Nov. 17, 1967.
APPLICABILITY OF REORG. PLAN NO. 26 OF 1950
Pub. L. 91–651, § 5, Jan. 5, 1971, 84 Stat. 1941, provided
that: ‘‘Section 3056 of title 18, United States Code, as
amended by section 4 of this Act, shall be subject to
Reorganization Plan Numbered 26 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1280)
[set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organi-
zation and Employees].’’
§ 3056A.
Powers,
authorities,
and
duties
of
United States Secret Service Uniformed Divi-
sion
(a) There is hereby created and established a
permanent police force, to be known as the
‘‘United States Secret Service Uniformed Divi-
sion’’. Subject to the supervision of the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, the United States
Secret Service Uniformed Division shall perform
such duties as the Director, United States Se-
cret Service, may prescribe in connection with
the protection of the following:
(1) The White House in the District of Co-
lumbia.
(2) Any building in which Presidential of-
fices are located.
(3) The Treasury Building and grounds.
(4) The President, the Vice President (or
other officer next in the order of succession to
the Office of President), the President-elect,
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** Under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Secret Service is authorized to protect the following persons:
(1) The President, the Vice President (or other officer next in the order of succession to the Office of President), the President-elect, and the Vice President-elect.
(2) The immediate families of those individuals listed in paragraph (1).
(3) Former Presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except that protection of a spouse shall terminate in the event of remarriage.
(4) Children of a former President who are under 16 years of age.
(5) Visiting heads of foreign states or foreign governments.
(6) Other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad when the President directs that such protection be provided.
(7) Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and, within 120 days of the general Presidential election, the spouses of such candidates. As used in this paragraph, the term “major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates” means those individuals identified as such by the Secretary of Homeland Security after consultation with an advisory committee consisting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, and one additional member selected by the other members of the committee. The Committee shall not be subject to chapter 10 of title 5.
(8) Former Vice Presidents, their spouses, and their children who are under 16 years of age, for a period of not more than six months after the date the former Vice President leaves office. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to direct the Secr