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 mdash; there were five events that were specially designated and federally coordinated in the past year.An NSSE-designated event prompts the federal government mdash; led by the Secret Service in coordination with the FBI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA mdash; 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 fi <a href=https://www.stanley-cup.pt>stanley cup</a> ve of these a year. One function t <a href=https://www.stanley-cups.co.uk>stanley cup</a> hat was not designated an NSSE by the federal government was the January 6 certification of election results, targeted by a violent mob aiming to overturn the results of the election. In the agency s first public hearing since the January 6 riot, Murray called the siege of the U.S. Capitol abhorrent and an attack on democracy. We in law enforcement and public safety can t let it happen again, Murray told the House Homeland Security Appropriations subco <a href=https://www.stanleycups.at>stanley cup</a> mmittee. The director said he anticipates ongoing discussions about the potential need to pre-designate Congress election certification as an NSSE. I do think there are opportunities for other events to be c Zomc Family of Marine killed in training accident pushes for new safety procedures
Some national parks and historic sites across the U.S. will remain open as the partial government shutdown continues through <a href=https://www.salomons.com.es>salomon</a> Christmas. Others tourist sites, however, will remain closed until lawmakers broker a deal to reopen the government.On Saturday, negotiations between the White House and congressiona <a href=https://www.stanleycup.cz>stanley cup</a> l Republicans and Democrats hit an impasse over President Trump s $5 billion demand to fund the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Senate will technically hold a pro forma session Monday, but that is unlikely to yield anything mdash; and negotiations will probably not resume until senators reconvene Thursday. Meanwhile, the Statue of Liberty and Grand Canyon are open for business, and the government said other national parks will remain as accessible as possible. At some parks, you re welcome to take a hike mdash; but you re largely on your own. At others, like the closed Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, you re out of luck. And while the star-spangled banner yet waves at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the gates at the War of 1812 landmark are locked.In Estes Park, Colorado, visitor centers were locked at Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday. Roads at the park were closed or unplowed becaus <a href=https://www.airmaxplus.it>airmax</a> e of the federal government shutdown. The park s gates were open, but staffing was cut back and roads were not being cleared of new snow. This is really disappointing, said Sarah Schlesinger of Bou