Stopping Executive Clearance Unfair Revocation Efforts Act
The SECURE Act aims to strengthen due process protections around decisions to deny or revoke access to classified information and to increase transparency about those decisions. It does two main things: (1) it broadens who must receive due process protections by replacing the phrase “employees in the executive branch of Government” with the broader term “individuals,” thereby extending protections to non-employees (such as private-sector contractors or other individuals with clearance access); and (2) it requires an annual, more detailed report on security clearance denials and revocations. The report would include counts of denials/terminations, who employed the individual at the time, the reasons for the denial or termination, and the outcomes of any appeals or reviews.
Key Points
- 1The bill replaces the phrase “employees in the executive branch of Government” with “individuals” in Section 801(a)(5) of the National Security Act of 1947, broadening the scope of those protected by due process in clearance decisions.
- 2It amends the annual reporting requirements (Section 506H(a)(1)) to add new subparagraphs:
- 3- (C) The number of individuals denied a security clearance at the applicable level or whose clearance was revoked during the prior fiscal year.
- 4- (D) For each denial/termination, the employing department/agency or private-sector entity at the time.
- 5- (E) For each denial/termination, an explanation of the reasons for the denial or termination.
- 6- (F) For each denial/termination, the outcome of any appeal or review.
- 7The act is titled the “Stopping Executive Clearance Unfair Revocation Efforts Act” (SECURE Act).
- 8The primary sponsor list indicates introduction in the House and referral to Oversight and Government Reform, signaling a focus on federal clearance processes and accountability.