Langevin, Schiff,
Lieu introduce bill to stop Presidential abuse of security clearance process
U.S.
Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced
legislation to prevent President Trump from exploiting the security clearance
process for acts of political retribution.
“President
Trump has shown an alarming tendency to attack members of our intelligence and
law enforcement communities when he believes it will be to his political
benefit. His recent decision and subsequent threats to revoke the clearances of
current and former national security officials is an unconscionable abuse of
power, and it underscores the need to protect this process from further
political influence,” said Congressman
Langevin, a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
“This
legislation takes important steps to ensure security clearance decisions are
based solely on national security considerations, not political bias or
retribution.”
“President Trump has set a dangerous precedent by revoking or threatening to revoke the security clearances of current and former law enforcement and intelligence officials to punish his critics. For those who depend on a security clearance for their livelihood, this effort to create and impose potentially career ending consequences on individuals who appear on the president’s enemies list is unlawful and un-American,” said Congressman Adam Schiff,
Ranking
Member of the House Intelligence Committee. “In July, Speaker Ryan suggested
the President was simply ‘trolling’ in making threats — that is clearly not the
case. The Congress must ensure that the process by which clearances are granted
and revoked is governed by national security concerns, not politics or
presidential temper tantrums.”
“Trump’s
revocation of John Brennan’s security clearance is petty and vindictive. The
President has made a sport of using his broad authority to help his friends and
attack his perceived enemies. That’s why safeguarding our security clearance
process is critical—we have to prevent these kinds of abuses and provide proper
recourse for those impacted,” said Congressman
Ted Lieu.
“Trump
shouldn’t be playing games with our national security. I’m grateful to join
Representatives Langevin and Schiff in introducing this bill, though I wish our
President didn’t make it necessary.”
This
legislation establishes similar parameters to those set forward in an amendment
to the defense appropriations bill offered by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice
Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Specifically, it
prohibits the granting, denying or revoking of access, or eligibility for
access, to classified information except in accordance with Part 147 of title
32, Code of Federal Regulations, and Executive Orders 12968 and 13467 as in
effect on August 15, 2018.
Text
of the bill is available here.