Tester Holds Administration Accountable for National Security Reform

Senator Continues Effort to Ensure Background Check Process Gets Fixed

(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester is holding the Obama Administration accountable as it reorganizes the federal background investigation process.

In a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Tester states he wants to ensure there is a plan in place as OPM transitions background checks from the Federal Investigative Services (FIS) to the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB). The administration announced in January the reorganization of the FIS after high-profile breaches of sensitive information impacted more than 20 million federal employees and their families.

“We can’t screw around with background checks, this is a serious national security issue,” Tester said. “While I appreciate efforts to strengthen investigations and address serious problems with the system, we’d better not be putting lipstick on a pig and calling it reform.”

Tester asked for specific information about the transition including the cost of establishing the NBIB, documentation of NBIB’s day-to-day operations, and what specific changes will be enacted to ensure that true reform is taking place.

Tester has led the charge in Congress to reform the background investigation process. You can read all about his efforts HERE.

Tester’s letter to OPM is cosigned by Senator Claire McCaskill (D -Mo.) and is available HERE.