https://news.clearancejobs.com/2021/01/20/proposed-bill-would-bar-qanon-capitol-protestors-from-cleared-positions/
A Florida congresswoman is proposing legislation that would require individuals to report if they were members of QAnon, attended the Capitol Hill rally, or other ‘Stop the Steal’ events. A summary of the ‘Security Clearance Improvement Act of 2021’ posted to Rep. Stephanie Murphy’s website outlines what it would like to see changed in the security clearance application process, and how it would like to see both current clearance holders and applicants vetted in the future.
“[T]he bill would require applicants to be asked during the security clearance process—whether as part of the SF-86 questionnaire, the interview portion, or both—whether they participated in the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol, or a similar “Stop the Steal” event, and the precise role they played in that event. Even if it does not constitute a criminal offense, attendance at an event designed to overturn the results of a presidential election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power raises serious questions about an applicant’s suitability for a security clearance.”
Like most legislative bullets written by a 22-year old with more passion than policy experience, the Security Clearance Improvement Act is unlikely to make it past a bulleted list on a congressional website – the changes proposed in Murphy’s bill would need to be born out of executive order. Congress can certainly sway those decisions – but it can’t overhaul the adjudicative guidelines. Congress’ key role in the security clearance process is one of accountability. That’s why we see legislation that sets policy priorities and establishes security clearance timelines, but not legislation that delivers the parameters of who can and cannot have access to classified information.