Post-January 6 attack, Secret Service director calls for more funding for high-security events

The director of the Secret Service told lawmakers Thursday that the agency needs more money to fund coverage of high-profile functions that are designated as National Special Security Events (NSSEs) — there were five events that were specially designated and federally coordinated in the past year. 

An NSSE-designated event prompts the federal government — led by the Secret Service in coordination with the FBI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — to work together to secure large venues that may be targeted by violent actors.  The current annual funding for these events is $45 million. Secret Service Director James Murray told lawmakers, "Candidly, it's not enough. And we do need more to be able to do four or five of these a year."