DHS Security Clearance Legislation Passes House

Statement

Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced House passage of legislation he sponsored - H.R. 697 - the Department of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration Act. This bill, which previously passed the House in 2015, makes specific reforms in how the Department of Homeland Security manages its security clearance processes. Specifically, it addresses how DHS identifies positions that warrant clearances, how it investigates candidates for clearances, and how it administers its adjudications, denials, suspensions, revocations, and appeals processes.

"This legislation passed today seeks to improve how DHS manages its clearance process at all stages--from decisions on whether to designate positions as requiring clearances to ensuring uniformity in how clearances are adjudicated, suspended, denied, and revoked. My bill will make DHS a leader among Federal agencies with respect to security clearance and position designations practices. It is critical we put DHS on a path to right-sizing the number of classified positions in its workforce. I thank my colleagues for supporting it and urge the Senate to recognize the necessity to pass this legislation."

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