Jon Tester

If those are not the goals, then somebody has to tell me what the goals are, because those ought to be the goals.

Do you think codification is a good thing in this case or do you think it is not necessary?

So do you feel confident that what you have done with the rule and your ability to collect additional data and you have the manpower to be able to ensure that security clearances are given to those who only absolutely need them?

They have to use our rules, but they make the ultimate final decision when applying these rules.

I would just say that this will only get fixed if we work together, and I mean between branches on this and with the private sector.

Oversight by the legislative branch is something that I think we ought to take back a lot of the power that we have.

So why would material, adverse effect be taken out of the rule?

I thought you said there were studies that were done in 2010 and 2011 that said it was not adequate.

So regardless if you are working in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Small Business Administration (SBA), the same guidelines will apply, correct?

I think it is really going to be important.

This will only get fixed if we work together, and I mean between branches on this and with the private sector.

In your opinion, is that adequate? Are we making sure that security clearances are going to those who absolutely need that access to that information to be able to do their jobs?

OK. Brian, do you want to speak about the security clearance angle for the same group of questions as far as making sure that the folks who absolutely need them get them and folks who do not, do not?

I think the more transparent government is, the better government works.

Just to be clear, and this is not picking on anybody here.

Just to get your point, I mean, once you get the regulations down, they will apply across State--every Federal agency equally, correct?

But they did not have a personal clearance. They had not been vetted.

Would you think the folks down in the Dirksen Service Southern Buffet are in sensitive positions?

They were subsequently stripped of their rights to appeal these personnel decisions of the Merit Service Protection Board, a basic right of Federal employees.

It only takes one individual to slip through the cracks, one individual who could do untold damage to our national security by exposing sensitive information about government actions and programs.

It is abundantly clear to the American people that the Federal Government is failing to properly vet the individuals who are granted access to our Nation's most sensitive information and secure facilities.

I will take that as a compliment.

From my perspective, one of the best ways to stop waste, fraud and abuse is drop the hammer on the folks who are doing it.

I do not think there is any tolerance for folks who do not do their job in this particular area. They should be gone.

If you have an IG that is really not doing their job----