Security classification reform: The waiting agenda

Abstract

Awaiting the Clinton administration and the 103rd Congress are at least two major security classification reform considerations. One concerns the overhaul of the basic policy for the security classification of information, as expressed in E.O. 12356, which, reflecting the Reagan administration's Cold War offensive, reversed the trend of the prior 30 years toward narrowing the bases and discretion for classification. Another involves personnel security clearances, a system which is in need of consolidation, streamlining, and updating. Furthermore, there is the industrial security program, which was upgraded in the final days of the Bush administration with the issuance of E.O. 12829. This “reform,” however, quickly came under criticism and may merit review by the Clinton administration and the 103rd Congress. Finally, because it has been proposed from time to time that security classification policy, or some aspect of it, might be legislated or given a statutory mandate, a checklist of considerations in this regard is included, leaving aside the constitutional issues which might be engendered and the merits of such legislation.