WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Brian Mast (FL-21) took steps to prevent another situation akin to that of Special Envoy to Iran, Robert Malley.  The State Department Security Notification Act requires the U.S. Department of State to brief the House Foreign Affairs Committee if or when a senior official has his or her security clearance suspended or revoked.  The measure is cosponsored by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, and Representative Darrell Issa (CA-48).

“Robert Malley was under investigation for mishandling classified information at the exact moment the Middle East was erupting in a way we haven’t seen in decades, and Congress had no idea,” said Rep. Mast.  “The State Department and the Biden Administration owes transparency to its co-equal branch of government, but if it won’t meet that standard voluntarily, Congress will put it in statute.”

The State Department Security Notification Act requires the State Department to notify and brief the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding changes in the security clearance status of senior officials.  The briefing must occur within thirty days.

More than two months passed before the suspension of Robert Malley’s security clearance came to light.  In that time, Republican and Democrat Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee expressed interest in receiving testimony or a briefing from Malley on Iran policy, but were never informed that he was under investigation for allegedly mishandling classified material. 

The full text of the motion can be read here.

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