Transparency in Security Clearance Denials Act
Summary
The Transparency in Security Clearance Denials Act mandates the Secretary of State to provide annual reports to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. These reports will detail adverse security clearance adjudications, including denials, suspensions, or revocations. The reports will cover initial investigations, periodic reinvestigations, and continuous vetting outcomes.
Expected Effects
This act aims to increase transparency regarding security clearance denials within the State Department. It requires detailed data on the number of denials, appeals, and success rates, disaggregated by position, ethnicity, national origin, race, and gender. This increased transparency could lead to greater accountability and potentially identify systemic issues in the security clearance process.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in security clearance adjudications.
- Potential identification of systemic biases or issues in the process.
- Greater accountability for the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security.
- Data-driven insights into the fairness and consistency of security clearance decisions.
- Improved understanding of the considerations and criteria used in adjudications.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on the Secretary of State and staff.
- Risk of inadvertently disclosing sensitive information if data is not properly anonymized.
- Possible misinterpretation of data leading to unwarranted conclusions.
- The act does not address the underlying reasons for denials, only the reporting of them.
- May lead to increased scrutiny and politicization of security clearance decisions.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the principle of government transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the structure of the US Constitution. While the Constitution does not explicitly mandate such reporting, the act supports the broader goal of informed governance. The reporting requirements do not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).