This resolution creates an exception to the House limit on the number of employees who may hold security clearances within certain Member offices. Specifically, any member of the Armed Forces who holds a security clearance issued by the Department of Defense does not count toward the number of employees of a Member who may hold security clearances issued by the Office of House Security. The exception applies to employees of Members on the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, or Homeland Security; the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; or specified subcommittees of the Committee on Appropriations.
The proposed change would primarily affect those serving in committees that oversee defense and foreign affairs, including the Subcommittee on Defense and the Committee on Armed Services. By allowing these armed forces personnel to hold security clearances without counting against the office's allotment, the resolution seeks to enhance the capacity for oversight and secure involvement of military personnel in legislative processes.
House Resolution 46 aims to amend the Rules of the House of Representatives by creating an exemption for certain employees of Members who serve on specific committees. This exemption particularly applies to armed forces members who hold a security clearance issued by the Department of Defense. Under this resolution, such employees will not be included in the limit of staff allowed to hold security clearances processed by the Office of House Security.
While the resolution seems to streamline and support the operational capacity of Members who serve on defense-related committees, some may view the change as a potential pathway for security risks if not managed properly. The specifics of how these clearances are processed and the oversight over such personnel may come under scrutiny, given the sensitive nature of their duties and the information they may access.