In response to the tragic events at the Washington Navy Yard, the Professional Services Council called on Congress to ensure that any reviews of the security clearance process focus on clearances for military and civilian government personnel, as well as contractors, in a September 18 letter sent to leaders of 12 House and Senate committees and subcommittees.
“In light of the tragic events at the Washington Navy Yard, attention has naturally and appropriately extended to the security and facilities clearance processes and what role, if any, those processes played in this horrific event in which we witnessed the tragic deaths of and injuries to government, contractor, military and law enforcement personnel,” said Stan Soloway, PSC president and CEO.
“Whatever gaps in the process may exist are equally applicable to all individuals seeking to obtain or retain a clearance,” he said. “To look at the issue only through the narrow lens some have suggested would be counter-productive and shortsighted.”
Under the current security clearance process, an applicant receives the same review regardless of whether that person is a government civilian employee, a private-sector employee, or a member of the military. Assuming otherwise could leave substantial gaps in national security since three-quarters of all clearances are held by military or civilian government personnel.
“I urge you in the strongest terms to recognize that these are not questions that are unique to contractors; they are equally applicable to all who apply for security clearances or facilities access of any kind,” Soloway said. “To our knowledge, nothing has come to light thus far regarding the Navy Yard tragedy that in any way supports a contention that the type of badge worn by the gunman was at all relevant to the security questions his violent actions raised.“
“We share your commitment to a timely and balanced review to ensure that the processes used to grant security or facilities access—be they military, civilian government or private-sector employees—are fair and thorough so that we all can have confidence in those processes and their results,” Soloway said. “PSC and our members stand ready to work with you and your staffs on any review of the current processes and to participate in discussions about possible changes.”
PSC sent the letter to the following Senators and Congressmen: Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Jon Tester, D-Mont., Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Carl Levin, D-Mich., James Inhofe, R-Okla., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; and Reps. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., Adam Smith, D-Wash., Rob Wittman, R-Va., Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam, Mike McCaul, R-Texas, Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Darrell Issa, R-Calif., Elijah Cummings, D-Md., John Mica, R-Fla., Gerry Connolly, D-Va., Mike Rogers, R-Mich., and Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md. A similar letter will be sent to the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Defense, and the Navy.
