News

Secret Service Wants To Build $8 Million Replica White House

03.17.15 | 12:49 pm

This photo taken March 10, 2015 shows the White House in Washington. Americans’ confidence in all three branches of government is at or near record lows, according to a long-running and widely respected survey that... This photo taken March 10, 2015 shows the White House in Washington. Americans’ confidence in all three branches of government is at or near record lows, according to a long-running and widely respected survey that’s measured Americans’ attitudes on the subject over the last 40 years. The 2014 General Social Survey finds only 23 percent of Americans have a great deal of confidence in the Supreme Court, 11 percent in the executive branch and only 5 percent have a lot of confidence in Congress. By contrast, half have a great deal of confidence in the military. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) MORE LESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service wants $8 million to build a replica White House to help train agents after an embarrassing security breach last year.

Secret Service Direct Joseph Clancy says the agency needs the training facility in Beltsville, Maryland, about 20 miles from the real executive mansion, to provide agents and officers more realistic training experience.

He says training is now done in a parking lot but the parking lot doesn’t have the bushes and fountains as the White House grounds do.

In September a man armed with a knife was able to climb over a White House fence, dart through thick bushes and run deep into the mansion before being subdued.

Clancy made his pitch Tuesday to a House Appropriations subcommittee.

Send Tips