Haley moves closer to getting Secret Service protection after congressional panel votes in favor

By Kylie Atwood and Jamie Gangel, CNN

(CNN) — A congressional advisory committee has voted in favor of granting Nikki Haley US Secret Service protection, according to a source familiar with the matter, after the GOP presidential candidate requested the enhanced security citing threats she is facing.

The recommendation now heads to the desk of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who will make the final decision based on multiple factors, the source said. Mayorkas, who earlier this week became the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in 150 years, is currently traveling in Germany for the Munich Security Conference.

The protective detail is expected to be approved and Haley would get a protective detail as soon as next week, a second source familiar with the matter told CNN.

The Secret Service has multiple protection teams ready to be dispatched, and one of those teams would be sent to protect the former South Carolina governor on the same day that it is authorized to do so, the first source said.

The congressional advisory committee that makes the determination whether it believes a presidential candidate should qualify for protection includes the House speaker, House minority whip, Senate majority and minority leaders, and one additional member chosen by the panel.

But the advisory committee’s finding is only one of multiple factors that Mayorkas will consider when making the final decision on granting the Secret Service protection to Haley. The other factors include, but are not limited to: an assessment conducted by the Secret Service of threats directed toward the candidate; whether the candidate is polling nationally at 15% or more for 30 consecutive days; and whether the candidate is the formal or de facto nominee of a major party for president or vice president.

Haley is currently the last remaining major challenger to former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary. Her campaign requested Secret Service protection earlier this month over threats faced by the candidate. There were reports of two swatting incidents in recent months at Haley’s home in South Carolina, one of which occurred while her parents were there.

Haley’s campaign and the Department of Homeland Security did not comment on the matter.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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