Report: Secret Service Losing Agents Too Fast to Replace

Secret Service agents are leaving the job faster than new hires can take their place, prompting two lawmakers to encourage the agency to find "innovative ways" to fulfill its duties, The Washington Examiner reports.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz and ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings wrote Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy on Tuesday urging action.

"The committee encourages USSS to explore innovative ways to fill this staffing gap-such as detailing qualified law enforcement officials or [administrative, professional, and technical] employees from other agencies in the short-term while continuing its long-term efforts to develop a zero-based budget and increase hiring and retention," the lawmakers wrote.

"Nearly every USSS employee who spoke with the [inspector general] said they had serious concerns regarding UD staffing shortages," the letter said. "Some employees characterized the agency as 'hemorrhaging' employees."

The current presidential campaign is stretching the agency thin, but the bigger problem is fast attrition, according to Chaffetz and Cummings.

If the issue is not reversed, Congress could mandate changes, they said.

The agency known most for protecting the president has seen a series of scandals and security breaches at the White House in recent months.

Related Stories:

• Contrite Secret Service Director Apologizes to Lawmakers
• Secret Service Posted Agents Without Security Clearance at WH