text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``United States Secret Service 
  Accountability and Improvement Act of 2014''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      (a) In General.--Congress finds the following:
              (1) Several recent failures have drawn negative attention 
          to the protective mission of the United States Secret Service. 
          Such key failures include lapses in responding appropriately to 
          potential threats to the White House complex, United States 
          Secret Service personnel exhibiting conduct that is unbecoming 
          to the Service in several instances, and reports of United 
          States Secret Service personnel misusing the authorities and 
          resources of the Service.
              (2) For example, on September 19, 2014, an individual 
          obtained unauthorized access to the White House. Such access 
          was obtained after failures in five security layers by the 
          United States Secret Service. In another example, on November 
          11, 2011, an individual fired multiple shots from a 
          semiautomatic rifle at the White House complex. It was revealed 
          that a total of seven bullets struck the exterior of the 
          building. The Service failed to fully investigate the incident 
          in a timely manner or to disclose it.
              (3) On March 23, 2014, a Special Agent assigned to the 
          Counter Assault Team was found intoxicated to the point of 
          unconsciousness in a hotel in Amsterdam in advance of a 
          Presidential visit. In another example, on April 11, 2012, 
          conduct unbecoming to United States Secret Service personnel 
          was exhibited before a Presidential visit to Cartagena, 
          Columbia. Nine personnel were involved in serious misconduct.
              (4) Surveillance personnel from the Washington field office 
          were diverted in 2011 from supporting the protective mission at 
          the request of senior leadership in order to provide protection 
          to a United States Secret Service employee at her home 
          following a neighborhood dispute. Such a diversion was outside 
          the scope of the Service's duties and violated the Standards of 
          Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.
      (b) Further Findings.--Congress further finds that the protection 
  of the President, Vice President, First and Second Families, and former 
  Presidents is a matter of national security. Any issues that distract 
  from the protective mission of the United States Secret Service are a 
  threat to the national security of the United States.
  
  SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
  
      There is established in the legislative branch an independent 
  advisory panel to--
              (1) examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
          leadership structure, protocols, training, tools, and 
          capabilities of the Department of Homeland Security's mission 
          to protect national leaders, visiting heads of state and 
          government, designated sites, and special events of national 
          significance (in accordance with paragraph (1) of section 
          3056(e) of title 18 United States Code); and
              (2) make recommendations to improve the overall efficiency 
          and effectiveness of the United States Secret Service.
  
  SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
  
      (a) In General.--The independent advisory panel (in this Act 
  referred to as the ``Panel'') established pursuant to section 3 shall 
  be composed of eight members, as follows:
              (1) Two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
          House of Representatives, in coordination with the chairs of 
          the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland 
          Security of the House of Representatives. Only one of such 
          members may be from the same political party as the Speaker of 
          the House of Representatives.
              (2) Two members shall be appointed by the majority leader 
          of the Senate, in coordination with the chairs of the Committee 
          on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
          Governmental Affairs of the Senate. Only one of such members 
          may be from the same political party as the majority leader of 
          the Senate.
              (3) One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
          the House of Representatives, in coordination with the ranking 
          members of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on 
          Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.
              (4) One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
          the Senate, in coordination with the ranking members of the 
          Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland 
          Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
              (5) Two members shall be appointed by the President, in 
          consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security. Only one 
          of such members may be from the same political party as the 
          President.
      (b) Prohibition.--Except as provided in subsection (a), members of 
  the Panel may not be current appointees of the President's 
  Administration or Members of Congress, in order to ensure objectivity 
  of the Panel's assessments. No member may be or have been an employee 
  of the United States Secret Service at any point in their career.
      (c) Deadline for Appointments.--All appointments to the Panel shall 
  be made not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
  Act.
      (d) Co-Chairs.--The Panel shall have two co-chairs, as follows:
              (1) A co-chair who shall be a member of the Panel 
          designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
              (2) A co-chair who shall be a member of the Panel 
          designated by the majority leader of the Senate.
      (e) Vacancy.--In the event of a vacancy on the Panel, the 
  individual appointed to fill the vacant seat shall be--
              (1) subject to paragraph (2), appointed by the same officer 
          (or the officer's successor) who made the appointment to the 
          seat when the Panel was first established; or
              (2) if the officer's successor is of a party other than the 
          party of the officer who made the initial appointment when the 
          Panel was first established, chosen in consultation with the 
          senior officers of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
          of the party which is the party of the officer who made such 
          initial appointment.
      (f) Government Employees.--Members of the Panel who are officers or 
  employees of the Federal Government shall serve without additional pay 
  (or benefits in the nature of compensation) for service as a member of 
  the Panel.
      (g) Initial Meeting.--The Panel shall meet and begin the operations 
  of the Panel not later than 60 days after the appointment of all Panel 
  members under subsection (a).
  
  SEC. 5. DUTIES.
  
      The Panel shall assess the current leadership structure, protocols, 
  training, tools, and capabilities of the United States Secret Service, 
  including assessing--
              (1) the unity of effort between the divisions of the United 
          States Secret Service, law enforcement agencies, and other 
          components of the Department of Homeland Security related to 
          the protective and investigative missions, including whether 
          mission duplication with other Federal entities exists;
              (2) the impact of United States Secret Service personnel 
          culture on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Service, 
          including Special Agent and Uniformed Division retention;
              (3) the impact any leadership or security deficiencies have 
          on the threat from acts of terrorism or other security 
          incidents;
              (4) identification of all security breaches at locations 
          under United States Secret Service protection in the past five 
          years;
              (5) the extent to which current resources provide for 
          accomplishing the mission of the United States Secret Service;
              (6) the effectiveness of communications and dissemination 
          of homeland security information within the United States 
          Secret Service and with other law enforcement entities in 
          routine as well as emergency situations; and
              (7) any necessary recommendations for congressional 
          consideration.
  
  SEC. 6. POWERS AND AUTHORITIES.
  
      (a) In General.--The Panel or, on the authority of the Panel, any 
  portion thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this section--
              (1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and 
          places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, administer 
          such oaths (provided that the quorum for a hearing shall be two 
          members of the Panel); and
              (2) subject to subsection (b), require by subpoena or 
          otherwise provide for the attendance and testimony of such 
          witnesses and the production of such books, records, 
          correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as the Panel, 
          or such portion thereof, may determine advisable.
      (b) Open to the Public.--Hearings and other activities conducted 
  under subsection (a) shall be open to the public unless the Panel, or, 
  on the authority of the Panel, any portion thereof, determines that 
  such is not appropriate, including for reasons relating to the 
  disclosure of information or material regarding the national security 
  interests of the United States or the disclosure of sensitive law 
  enforcement data.
      (c) Subpoenas.--
              (1) Issuance.--
                      (A) In general.--A subpoena may be issued under 
                  this subsection only--
                              (i) by the two co-chairs; or
                              (ii) by the affirmative recorded vote of 
                          six members of the Panel.
                      (B) Signature.--Subpoenas issued under this 
                  subsection may be--
                              (i) issued under the signature of the two 
                          co-chairs or any member designated by a 
                          majority of the Panel; and
                              (ii) served by any person designated by the 
                          two co-chairs or by any member designated by a 
                          majority of the Panel.
              (2) Enforcement.--
                      (A) In general.--In the case of contumacy or 
                  failure to obey a subpoena issued under this 
                  subsection, the United States district court for the 
                  judicial district in which the subpoenaed person 
                  resides, is served, or may be found, or where the 
                  subpoena is returnable, may issue an order requiring 
                  such person to produce documentary or other evidence. 
                  Any failure to obey the order of the court may be 
                  punished by the court as contempt of that court.
                      (B) Additional enforcement.--In the case of any 
                  failure of any witness to comply with any subpoena, the 
                  Panel may, by majority vote, certify a statement of 
                  fact constituting such failure to the appropriate 
                  United States attorney, who may bring the matter before 
                  a grand jury for its action, under the same statutory 
                  authority and procedures as if the United States 
                  attorney had received a certification under sections 
                  102 through 104 of the Revised Statutes of the United 
                  States (2 U.S.C. 192 through 194).
      (d) Personnel.--
              (1) In general.--The Panel shall have the authorities 
          provided in section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, and 
          shall be subject to the conditions specified in such section, 
          except to the extent that such conditions would be inconsistent 
          with the requirements of this section.
              (2) Compensation.--The co-chairs, in accordance with rules 
          agreed upon by the Panel, may appoint and fix the compensation 
          of a staff director and such other personnel as may be 
          necessary to enable the Panel to carry out its functions, 
          without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
          Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and 
          without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter 
          III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and 
          General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed 
          under this paragraph may exceed the equivalent of that payable 
          for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under 
          section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
              (3) Detailees.--Any employee of the Federal Government may 
          be detailed to the Panel without reimbursement from the Panel, 
          and such employee shall retain the rights, status, and 
          privileges of such employee's regular employment without 
          interruption.
              (4) Expert and consultant services.--The Panel is 
          authorized to procure the services of experts and consultants 
          in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 
          but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person 
          occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule 
          under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
              (5) Volunteer services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of 
          title 31, United States Code, the Panel may accept and use 
          voluntary and uncompensated services as the Panel determines 
          necessary.
      (e) Security Clearances.--The appropriate departments or agencies 
  of the Federal Government shall cooperate with the Panel in 
  expeditiously providing to the Panel members and staff appropriate 
  security clearances to the extent possible pursuant to existing 
  procedures and requirements, except that no person shall be provided 
  with access to classified information under this section without the 
  appropriate security clearances.
      (f) Contracting.--The Panel may, to such extent and in such amounts 
  as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to enable 
  the Panel to carry out its duties under this Act.
      (g) Postal Services.--The Panel may use the United States mails in 
  the same manner and under the same conditions as departments and 
  agencies of the Federal Government.
      (h) Support Services.--Upon request of the Panel, the Administrator 
  of General Services shall provide the Panel, on a reimbursable basis, 
  with the administrative support services necessary for the Panel to 
  carry out its duties under this Act. Such administrative services may 
  include human resource management, budget, leasing, accounting, and 
  payroll services.
      (i) Rules of Procedure.--The Panel may establish rules for the 
  conduct of the Panel's business, if such rules are not inconsistent 
  with this Act or other applicable law.
      (j) Nonapplicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The 
  Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
  Panel.
      (k) Termination.--The Panel shall terminate on the date that is 60 
  days after the date of the submission of its final report.
  
  SEC. 7. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
  
      (a) Interim Report.--Not later than nine months after the date of 
  the appointment of all the members of the Panel, the Panel shall submit 
  to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland 
  Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the 
  Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
  Affairs of the Senate an interim report, including the results and 
  findings of the assessments carried out in accordance with section 5.
      (b) Other Reports and Briefings.--The Panel may from time to time 
  submit to the committees specified in subsection (a) such other reports 
  and briefings relating to the assessments carried out in accordance 
  with section 5 as the Panel considers appropriate. Such committees may 
  request information on the Panel's progress as it conducts its work.
      (c) Final Report.--Not later than eighteen months after the date of 
  the appointment of all the members of the Panel, the Panel shall submit 
  to the committees specified in subsection (a) a final report on the 
  assessments carried out in accordance with section 5. Such final report 
  shall--
              (1) include the findings of the Panel;
              (2) identify lessons learned related to United States 
          Secret Service leadership issues; and
              (3) include specific recommendations, including those for 
          congressional consideration, relating to--
                      (A) improving the efficiency and effectiveness of 
                  the leadership structure, protocols, training, tools, 
                  and capabilities of the Department of Homeland 
                  Security's mission to protect national leaders, 
                  visiting heads of state and government, designated 
                  sites, and special events of national significance (in 
                  accordance with paragraph (1) of section 3056(e) of 
                  title 18 United States Code);
                      (B) improving unity of effort between the divisions 
                  of the United States Secret Service and other law 
                  enforcement agencies and other components of the 
                  Department of Homeland Security relating to the 
                  protective and, as applicable, investigative missions, 
                  including whether duplication with other Federal 
                  entities exists;
                      (C) eliminating barriers to effective 
                  communications in routine as well as emergency 
                  situations;
                      (D) identifying and mitigating cultural issues 
                  within the United States Secret Service that detract 
                  from the mission of the Service; and
                      (E) improvements needed to mitigate risks based on 
                  past security breaches.
target: United States Secret Service Accountability and Improvement Act of 2014 - Establishes in the legislative branch an independent advisory panel to: (1) examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the leadership structure, protocols, training, tools, and capabilities of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) mission to protect national leaders, visiting heads of state and government, designated sites, and special events of national significance; and (2) make recommendations to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the United States Secret Service.  Directs the panel to assess the current leadership structure, protocols, training, tools, and capabilities of the Service, including assessing:  the unity of effort between the divisions of the Service, law enforcement agencies, and other components of DHS related to the protective and investigative missions; the impact of Service personnel culture on its effectiveness and efficiency; the impact any leadership or security deficiencies have on the threat from acts of terrorism or other security incidents; identification of all security breaches at locations under Service protection in the past five years;  the extent to which current resources provide for accomplishing its mission, and the effectiveness of communications and dissemination of homeland security information within the Service and with other law enforcement entities in routine and emergency situations.  Sets forth reporting requirements, including requiring the final report to identify lessons learned regarding Service leadership issues and to include recommendations for improving efficiency and effectiveness, improving unity of effort, eliminating barriers to effective communications, identifying and mitigating culture issues that detract from its mission, and mitigating risks based on past security breaches.
feat_title: United States Secret Service Accountability and Improvement Act of 2014