REPS LIEU, NADLER AND CUMMINGS INTRODUCE BILL TO CREATE TRANSPARENCY IN WHITE HOUSE SECURITY CLEARANCES

REPS LIEU, NADLER AND CUMMINGS INTRODUCE BILL TO CREATE TRANSPARENCY IN WHITE HOUSE SECURITY CLEARANCES

Upon introduction, Mr. Lieu said:

"As we've seen, transparency hasn't come so easy to the Trump White House. White House officials have repeatedly contradicted themselves on whether they allowed Rob Porter to have an interim security clearance despite concerns over allegations of domestic abuse. Aside from the moral failings, we're looking at potentially dangerous breaches in our national security protocols. What's worse is that, despite our oversight duties, Members of Congress have no mechanism to figure out who in the White House has access to classified information and whether they are doing so under an interim clearances.

I've asked, time and again, why people like Jared Kushner have security clearances despite repeatedly failing to properly disclose information on clearance forms. By using interim security clearances, the White House is circumventing an essential process that ensures government officials handling classified information are not vulnerable to blackmail or manipulation. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to ensure that classified information is properly safeguarded."

Upon introduction, Mr. Nadler said:

"The Trump White House continues to show a blatant disregard for the security of this country. The security clearance vetting process is meant to ensure the safety and security of every American and maintain the integrity of our government. By refusing to take that responsibility seriously—to frivolously ignore the concerns raised by investigators and feed classified information to staffers who pose a potential danger to national security—Donald Trump has again abused the trust of the American people and placed our security at risk. It falls to Congress to reestablish that trust, which is why this legislation is so critical to our nation."

Upon introduction, Mr. Cummings said:

"Congress needs answers about the White House's dysfunctional security clearance process, but the Trump Administration refuses to turn over information. This legislation will hold the White House accountable and ensure at least some transparency for how the President is handling our nation's most closely guarded secrets."

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This bill would require the White House to report the following information to Congress every three months:

• A list of the name and position of each individual working in the EOP who holds a security clearance of any kind including the President's staff, or individual in the EOP the function of which is to advise or assist the President, as well as any other individual working in the EOP. For any individual who holds a security clearance of any kind detailed to the EOP from another agency or organization, including universities, think tanks, and/or the private sector, a list of the individual's name, position, and the agency or organization that employs that individual.

• For each individual in the lists above:

· The status (temporary or permanent) and level (Secret, TS, TS/SCI, etc.) of his or her clearance;

· The date his or her security clearance investigation was initiated, the dates of any interim reports or notifications from investigating agencies, and the date it was adjudicated (if applicable) including any renewal of a security clearance;

• The name and position of any individual not listed above for whom the President has provided access to classified information, the date that the information was provided, and the classification level of that information.

• The name and position of any individual working in the EOP for whom the President or authorizing personnel in the EOP granted a security clearance, despite an unfavorable recommendation from the White House Security Office, a Department or an Agency, and the date the President or authorizing personnel in the EOP made the decision;

• The name and position of any individual working in the EOP for whom a security clearance has been revoked or suspended, and the dates of such decision;

• The name and position of any individual working in the EOP who has possessed interim security clearances for longer than one year, and a justification from the White House Counsel as to why it is in the national security interest of the United States to keep this individual in the position without a permanent security clearance;