1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

It is critical that Congress pass the Security Clearance Review Act before the next presidential inauguration. This legislation would prevent unqualified individuals from gaining access to classified information by requiring the FBI to provide written recommendations when security concerns are raised about potential appointees. Congressional oversight would be added through mandatory notifications to relevant committees if the President overrules the FBI's advice. Reports indicate the incoming administration intends to bypass traditional background checks, posing grave risks to national security. During the previous Trump presidency, his Chief of Staff John Kelly objected to clearances granted to the President's family members despite serious issues identified by career staff. Such concerning practices enabling corruption and lack of accountability must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Protecting the integrity of the security clearance process is vital to safeguarding sensitive intelligence. Allowing untrustworthy individuals with potential conflicts of interest to access classified materials represents an unacceptable threat. Swift passage of this commonsense reform is needed to uphold national security interests by ensuring proper vetting occurs for all presidential appointees before they can be granted clearances. The American people deserve full confidence that only trustworthy public servants are entrusted with our nation's secrets.