Tester, McCaskill to hold hearing Thursday on who can access classified information

Senators will question top officials on security clearance process

WASHINGTON – Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) will hold a joint Homeland Security subcommittee hearing to question top agency officials about how they are vetting the federal employees and contractors who have access to some of our nation’s most sensitive and classified information.

Tester and McCaskill will chair the hearing, entitled, “Safeguarding our Nation’s Secrets: Examining the Security Clearance Process” on Thursday, June 20 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Watch the Homeland Security subcommittee hearing live on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET, HERE.

The hearing follows recent news reports that a 29-year-old contractor had access to and leaked highly classified national security information.

Tester chairs the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce. McCaskill chairs the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Financial & Contracting Oversight.

Hearing panelist include:

• Stan Sims, Director, Defense Security Service
• Stephen F. Lewis, Deputy Director, Security Directorate, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)
• Merton W. Miller, Associate Director of Investigations, Office of Personnel Management, Federal Investigative Services
• Patrick E. McFarland, Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management
• Michelle B. Schmitz, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Office of Personnel Management
• Brenda Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management , U.S. Government Accountability Office

Senate Homeland Security Joint Subcommittee Hearing

“Safeguarding our Nation’s Secrets: Examining the Security Clearance Process”

Thursday, June 20

2:30 p.m. ET

Dirksen Senate Office Building, SD-342