Bill · H.R. 4137· House(119-HR-4137)
Transparency in Security Clearance Denials Act
- Introduced
- 6/25/2025
- Last activity
- 6/25/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Lieu
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Transparency in Security Clearance Denials Act," requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to Congress regarding adverse security clearance adjudications. These reports must detail the number of unfavorable outcomes issued by the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security. The data must include information on appeals, success rates, and the specific criteria used for determinations. Furthermore, the bill mandates that data be disaggregated by job position, ethnicity, national origin, race, and gender. The first report will cover the period starting January 1, 2024.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill significantly improves government transparency by requiring annual reports on security clearance adjudication criteria and outcomes.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+3
The bill potentially benefits African Americans by increasing oversight and transparency regarding potential racial disparities in security clearances.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+3
The bill potentially benefits Hispanic Americans by increasing oversight and transparency regarding potential racial disparities in security clearances.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: By requiring the Secretary of State to report on the considerations and criteria used for security clearance outcomes, the bill provides insight into how decisions are made (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Accountability through Data: The requirement to track the number of individuals receiving unfavorable outcomes, the number of appeals, and the success rates of those appeals allows for oversight of the adjudication process (Section 2(a)(1)-(3)).
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Identification of Disparities: By mandating that data be disaggregated by position, ethnicity, national origin, race, and gender, the bill allows for the tracking of potential trends or patterns within different groups of people (Section 2(b)(1)-(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Women+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Improves Due Process+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+3Improves Racial Equity+3
- 6/25/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas