Joe Clancy, the interim director of the U.S. Secret Service, said that the agency has been "severely damaged in recent years by failures" and explained some key mistakes made by the Secret Service when a fence jumper was able to run inside the White House two months ago. 

In his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Clancy, who was tapped to lead the agency last month, also laid out protocols the Secret Service is trying to improve in the wake of the fence jumper and other problems in the past few years. 

"I openly acknowledge that a failure of this magnitude, especially in light of other recent incidents, requires immediate action and longer term reform," he said. 

His appearance comes a week after the Department of Homeland Security published a report revealing failures in training, equipment and communications at the agency. 

Clancy said when the jumper, Omar Gonzalez, started to scale the fence, officers nearby outside the barrier started shouting verbal commands before sprinting over and coming "about an arm's length or two arms' lengths short of reaching him" before he breached the fence. 

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, joked that Gonzalez "got further in the White House than some of my Republican colleagues have ever gotten." 

He asked if a moat would be effective in stopping future White House jumpers. 

"Sir, it may be," Clancy replied, but added the Secret Service tries to recognize the accessibility and historic nature of the White House. 

Their first step, Clancy continued, is working with the National Park Service to "do something with the fence," including possibly making it taller. 
What did he say they needed to work with the park service for?
Their first step, Clancy continued, is working with the National Park Service to "do something with the fence," including possibly making it taller.