A new report out today says the Secret Service did not fix an alarm at the Houston, Texas home of former President George H.W. Bush for over a year, instead relying on extra in-person "roving" security.
The new report from the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security said there was discussion as early as 2011 about replacing the alarm, which finally stopped working in 2013.
It wasn't replaced and functioning again until December 2014, "more than one year" after agents had reported that it was inoperable.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
After being alerted to the troubles at the Bush home in Houston, the Secret Service reportedly stepped up its efforts to track maintenance requests for the homes of former Presidents.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Reaction to the revelation was swift on Capitol Hill.
"It is startling and unacceptable that under the Secret Service protection, an alarm at the residence of former President George H.W. Bush remained inoperable for more than a year," said the top two lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee.
"This adds to the growing list of significant concerns Congress has had with the management of the Secret Service," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD).
As for the former President, he publicly indicated he had no hard feelings toward the Secret Service:
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