Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., re-introduced a bill aiming to improve U.S. national security through a modernized security clearance system and a new workforce to handle national security and public safety missions. The Modernizing the Trusted Workforce for the 21st Century Act would also help the government reduce its background investigation backlog, Warner said in a statement released Friday. The bill was introduced to the Senate in 2018. Â
In a letter to top White House and intelligence officials, Warner said the current vetting process for security clearances in the government is too complicated, too long, costly and lacks modernized technology and processes.Â
“We are taking too many security risks and losing talented people who are not willing to endure a years-long process,†Warner said, who also serves as vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “Our current system is broken and needs a revolution.â€Â
The bill would task the executive branch with managing the background investigation backlog crisis, consolidate the National Background Investigation Bureau at the Pentagon and promote innovation in the clearance process.
