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HR 686 117th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Congressional oversight Executive Office of the President Federal officials Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Security Clearance Review Act

Introduced: February 2, 2021 Introduced by: Beyer, Donald S. Democratic · Virginia See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 22, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Feb 2, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 2, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Security Clearance Review Act

This bill imposes security-related requirements with respect to political appointees in the Executive Office of the President.

Under this bill, such a political appointee (1) may be employed in the office only if the appointment is clearly consistent with national security; and (2) may not have a security clearance or access to classified information unless the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) grants such clearance or access, unless the President nullifies the FBI's decision to deny clearance or access.

If the President nullifies the FBI's decision to deny clearance or access to such an appointee, the President must report to Congress within 30 days explaining the reasons for the nullification.

What's happening now March 22, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 686: Security Clearance Review Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-686/
MLA
"H.R. 686: Security Clearance Review Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-686/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 686, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-686/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 686: Security Clearance Review Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-686/)
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