Obama OKs lifetime Secret Service for presidents

President Obama signed a law today granting lifetime Secret Service protection to former presidents and their wives.

As it stands now, the measure affects only two presidents -- Obama and predecessor George W. Bush.

The bill approved by Congress reversed a 1994 law that had ended Secret Service protection 10 years after a president left office; it applied to presidents first elected after Jan. 1, 1997 -- i.e., Bush and Obama.

From the Associated Press:

"A sponsor of the bill, Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, says increased terrorist threats and the greater mobility and youth of former presidents made the change necessary.

"The new law also authorizes Secret Service protection for the children of former presidents until they turn 16."