Security Clearance Review Act

Summary

Makes the FBI Director the sole official authorized to grant, deny, suspend, or revoke security clearances or access determinations for political appointees and special Government employees assigned to the Executive Office of the President. Requires the FBI to notify the President and relevant congressional committees on the date of any denial, suspension, or revocation, and requires the President to provide a written explanation to those committees within 30 days if the President reverses or fails to recognize an FBI determination.

• Gives the FBI Director sole authority to grant, deny, suspend, or revoke security clearances/access for political appointees and special Government employees in the Executive Office of the President.
• Makes assignment or employment in the Executive Office of the President contingent on national-security consistency as determined by the FBI Director.
• Requires same-day notification to the President and appropriate congressional committees when a clearance or access determination is denied, suspended, or revoked.
• Requires the President to submit a written explanation to appropriate congressional committees within 30 days if he or she nullifies, reverses, or does not recognize an FBI determination.
• Relies on existing statutory definitions for "political appointee" and "special Government employee."
• Does not specify new funding, an effective date, or additional implementation procedures.
• Narrows who may make final access/clearance decisions for certain White House personnel, increasing FBI centrality and congressional oversight of overrides.
• Applies specifically to personnel assigned to the Executive Office of the President, not to all federal employees.