Law could cut security clearance backlog by September, House chair says

A senior House Republican said Tuesday that a recently passed intelligence reform law could bring about a noticeable improvement in the security clearance backlog by September.

House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., called the security clearance backlog "a huge problem" that has "cost the government likely hundreds of millions of dollars." Frustrated federal workers and contractors, however, might see an improvement in the backlog within "six to eight months," according to Davis, who spoke at a forum in Virginia hosted by the Information Technology Association of America.

Lawmakers, Pentagon officials and contractors have complained for years about the security clearance backlog and the lack of reciprocity for security clearances between agencies. Last year, the Government Accountability Office determined that the Defense Department had 188,000 contractors waiting for personnel investigators to make a decision on their security clearances.

The 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act passed in December gives President Bush 90 days to select an agency or executive branch office to oversee security clearances. That organization will provide the overall guidance and leadership on investigations, adjudications and mediating disputes. The selected agency will also standardize clearance application procedures and policies governmentwide.

Davis said the language in the law is "appropriate" for addressing the security clearance backlog. He noted, however, that the final responsibility lies with the Bush administration.

"We can legislate whatever we want, but at the end of the day we have to rely on the executive branch," Davis said. "We have to hold their feet to the fire."

Davis noted that the White House has not yet designated the agency responsible for overseeing the security clearance process, but he believes the Bush administration is comfortable with the law. The White House did not return calls seeking comment on Davis' speech.

Outside experts agreed that improvements will take place within eight months only if the White House steps forward. Jennifer Kerber, who works with homeland security issues at ITAA, is concerned that the administration might let the deadline slip for appointing an agency to oversee the clearance process. Kerber also wonders how long it would take for that agency to come up to speed.

"Some people are worried that they are going to miss that deadline, and where does that leave us?" she asked. "The agency that gets appointed, are they ready to hit the ground, or will they need some time to get their arms around this?"

Kerber is eager for Davis' prediction to be accurate.

"We definitely need some help," she said. "I would love it to be six to eight months."