Political Quotes

“I rise to offer an amendment to the legislation we are working on that would make sure security clearances are revoked on a going-forward basis only for valid national security reasons--not to change the subject on a bad news day, not to threaten career government employees, and especially not to carry out political retribution. Virginia is home to tens of thousands of dedicated men and women who serve in our intelligence and defense communities. Over the years, as Senator and vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee, I have met literally thousands of FBI agents, CIA officers, military servicemembers, contractors, and other public servants who hold security clearances. These men and women work day in and day out, often thanklessly, to keep America safe. Do you know what? I have no idea, amongst those Americans who have those security clearances, which of them are Democrats and which of them are Republicans, and that is the way our system is supposed to work. The Federal Government grants security clearances only to those individuals who can be trusted with our Nation's secrets. Applicants go through intense, lengthy background checks, interviews, and even, in many cases, lie detector tests, not to mention extensive rechecks for suitability every few years. Only then, after this process, do we allow them to serve in some of the toughest intelligence and national security jobs.…”