A bipartisan pair of House members has introduced legislation to reform the Federal government’s security classification system to prevent the over-classification of documents and avoid possible mishandling of information.
Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio. – both members of the House Intelligence Committee – introduced the Sensible Classification Act to help streamline the current classification process.
“As a former CIA case officer who routinely handled classified information, I know that America’s current classification system needs reform,” said Rep. Spanberger. “That’s why I’m proud to be a part of this bipartisan, bicameral effort to increase accountability, protect classified information from bad actors, and prevent over classification.”
“I believe that both our national security and the American people’s trust in our intelligence community can be strengthened if we make commonsense fixes to our outdated classification system,” she said.
The legislation would direct the Federal government to develop an integrated technology system to help classify and declassify information.
The bill also would promote efficient declassification of documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and beef up the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) by allowing it to hire staff more quickly.
Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of senators introduced similar legislation that would seek to revamp the classification system. Neither of the two related Senate bills have yet made it out of committee.
“Our classified information systems are critical to the nation’s security and secrets, and technology has helped increase our capabilities over recent years,” said Rep. Wenstrup. “At the same time, the government too often overclassifies information, which has led the American people to distrust their government.”
“I want the declassification process to be efficient so citizens have the transparency they deserve, while also keeping our secrets out of enemy hands. This bill strikes that balance and will enhance accountability and oversight,” the congressman said.
