U.S. Representatives Stephanie Murphy, Jason Crow, and Liz Cheney joined to introduce bipartisan legislation to limit domestic terrorists from holding security clearances. The No Clearance for Domestic Terrorists Act (H.R. 5513) amends the guidelines under the National Security Act for what may disqualify an individual from having a security clearance to include whether they have been involved in, supported, trained to commit, or advocated an act of domestic terrorism. This legislation comes just one month after the FBI announced that it had nearly tripled its domestic terrorism caseload — from roughly 1,000 to about 2,700 investigations — since spring of 2020.
“As a former national security specialist at the Pentagon, I know how dangerous it is for individuals who participated in domestic terrorism to receive a security clearance, which is a privilege and not a right,” said Rep. Murphy. “I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Representatives Crow and Cheney, which will protect our national security and ensure that only those who have shown the utmost conduct, character, and loyalty to the United States have access to our nation’s secrets.”
The lawmakers’ No Clearance For Domestic Terrorists Act will:
- Direct Security Executive Agent to ensure the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines include whether an individual has been involved in, supported, trained to commit, or advocated domestic or international terrorism.
- Ensure that investigations, polygraphs, and adjudications include screening an individual for possible involvement with domestic terrorism.
- Require the Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions (Standard Form 85P) and the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (Standard Form 86) to elicit information regarding whether the individual submitting the form has been involved in domestic terrorism.
“Those entrusted with our country’s most sensitive secrets must be committed to our nation and our democracy. That’s why those who have engaged in an act of domestic terrorism should not hold a security clearance,” said Rep. Crow. “I’m proud to advance this legislation with Congresswoman Murphy and Congresswoman Cheney; this is an important matter of national security that will help make the American people safer and more secure.”
“We must make sure we are doing everything possible to protect our nation and keep the American people safe. I’m proud to join Rep. Crow in leading this legislation that takes steps to prevent known domestic terrorists from receiving security clearances and accessing sensitive information,” said Rep. Cheney. “Increasingly, we know that threats to our way of life and our system of government do not only come from abroad, but can metastasize at home as well. We must confront domestic and international enemies that threaten the foundations of our constitutional republic. Adding this provision into the security clearance process will allow us to do that more effectively.”
Find full text of the bill here.
