    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 5, 2008]
    [Pages 148-149]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Security Clearances
    February 5, 2008

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies and the
    Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

    Subject: Security Clearances

        The Federal Government needs a qualified, trusted workforce
    available to successfully execute its missions. However, longstanding
    practices used in the security processing of individuals and contractors
    to work for the Government pose challenges to the speed with which these
    individuals can begin their work or move from one role to another.
    Specifically, the processes for determining eligibility for access to
    classified information, determining suitability for Federal employment,
    determining eligibility to work on a Federal contract, and for granting
    access to federally controlled facilities and information systems,
    created for separate purposes, rely on similar background data. Yet the
    processes for collecting and analyzing this data are not sufficiently
    standardized or coordinated to allow for individuals to efficiently move
    between agencies and positions of Government covered by one or more of
    these processes.
        I have determined that the significant opportunities to improve
    these processes, and the expected benefits of doing so, argue for
    aggressive efforts to achieve meaningful and lasting reform. Without
    altering the distinct lines of authority for establishing policies and
    procedures relating to security clearance, Federal employment
    suitability, and related determinations, such reform should ensure that
    the executive branch executes these authorities within a framework that
    maximizes efficiency and effectiveness while protecting the information
    collected from unauthorized use or dis-closure. Embedding that framework
    in policies, practices, and infrastructure will ensure that the reform
    effort and its benefits will continue into the future.
        Efforts toward achieving this integration are already underway,
    sponsored by the Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of
    Defense, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, and the
    Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and
    coordinated by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
    These efforts span near-term improvement opportunities up to a blueprint
    for a transformed clearance process. I direct that their continued close
    coordination and integration produce a comprehensive reform proposal
    that:
         Establishes modernized and comprehensive credentialing,
                security clearance, and suitability processes that employ
                updated and consistent standards and methods;
         To the extent consistent with applicable law, ensures that
                investigative standards for security clearance and
                suitability investigations support and build on each other
                without requiring duplicative steps;
         Enables these innovations with enterprise information
                technology capabilities that ensure the most effective and
                efficient performance across the Federal Government;
         Updates Government information record systems and, as
                necessary, applicable laws and regulations, to ensure that
                information maintained by executive departments and agencies
                and required for investigation and adjudication is available
                and can be shared rapidly across Government, while still
                protecting privacy-related information;

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         Ensures that a reformed and aligned investigative system
                maximizes the potential for common ground in the
                adjudication of those programs whose security and
                suitability determinations are simultaneous; and,
         Ensures that all resulting decisions are in the national
                interest, protect national security, and provide the Federal
                Government with an effective workforce.
        Under Executive Order 13381, I assigned to the Director of the
    Office of Management and Budget responsibility for improving the process
    for determining eligibility for access to classified national security
    information. Under Executive Orders 10450 and 10577, as amended, and
    related statutory authorities, the Office of Personnel Management is
    assigned various responsibilities related to personnel security
    investigations and suitability. These and all other current executive
    orders remain in force. However, recommendations may be made to align or
    otherwise alter policies and procedures to ensure the effective,
    efficient, and timely investigation and adjudication of security
    clearances and suitability for employment for all personnel performing
    work for or on behalf of the Federal Government.
        I hereby direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
    the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, the Assistant to the
    President for National Security Affairs, the Director of National
    Intelligence, and the Secretary of Defense, to submit to the President
    an initial reform proposal not later than April 30, 2008, that includes,
    as necessary, proposed executive and legislative actions to achieve the
    goals of reform described above. This proposal should be followed
    promptly by any additional proposals this group believes necessary to
    fulfill its mission.
        Nothing in this memorandum alters or impedes the ability to carry
    out the authorities of the executive departments and agencies to perform
    their responsibilities under existing law, including, but not limited
    to, the authority of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management
    under 5 U.S.C. 1103(a)(7) to recommend executive orders amending the
    civil service rules governing suitability for employment in the
    competitive service and the excepted service of the United States, and
    the authority of the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal
    Counsel, Department of Justice, under 28 C.F.R. 0.25(b) to draft,
    revise, and advise as to the form and legality all executive orders
    prior to submission to the President.
        The heads of executive departments and agencies are directed to
    provide all information and assistance requested by the Director of the
    Office of Management and Budget in this important endeavor.

                                                              George W. Bush