Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), along with Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) and other committee members, has urged the Biden administration to implement the Sensible Classification Act of 2023. The senators addressed a letter to U.S. Office of Management and Budget Federal Chief Information Officer Clare Martorana, seeking an update on the development of a technology solution for classification and declassification processes.

In their letter, they stated: “We write to request an update on your progress in developing a technology solution to classification and declassification in accordance with the Amended Sensible Classification Act of 2023.”

They further expressed concerns about overclassification, saying: “The government systematically overclassifies too much information at great cost to both public trust and national security. At the same time, the government often fails to protect the nation’s most important secrets.”

The letter emphasized that technological adoption could address these issues: “Part of the solution to both of these challenges involves the adoption of technology that would enable classification and declassification of information to be carried out in a more efficient and effective manner.”

The senators highlighted the benefits such changes would bring: “This opportunity to adapt our classification and declassification processes will greatly enhance the government’s ability to maintain accountability of our classified documents and records, streamline critical processes important to our national security, and work to reestablish trust and transparency between the United States government and the American people.”

Their communication outlined specific questions regarding progress on research into a technology-based solution, coordination with relevant agency heads, ensuring interoperability across federal agencies, and meeting statutory reporting requirements.

The full text of their letter is available publicly.