[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