{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hagerty-expand-oversight-of-senior-diplomats-rescinded-security-clearances-following-iran-envoy-scandal/", "Scott, Hagerty Expand Oversight of Senior Diplomats\u2019 Rescinded Security Clearances Following Iran Envoy Scandal", "2023-11-09", "2023", "2023-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in introducing the State Department Security Notification Act, which requires the Secretary of State to notify Congress when the security clearances of senior members of the State Department are suspended or revoked. This legislation comes after the Biden administration withheld information regarding the suspension of Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley\u2019s security clearance after he mishandled sensitive classified information. Earlier this year, Senator Scott led his colleagues in demanding an investigation into how the Department of State handled Malley\u2019s suspension.\n\n\u201cWith Iranian proxies attacking U.S. troops in the Middle East and Iranian-backed Hamas waging terror against America\u2019s greatest ally in the region, strong, reliable and consistent leadership on Iran policy has never been more important,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cThe fact that President Biden\u2019s hand-picked Special Envoy to Iran \u2013 one of our greatest adversaries \u2013 could not maintain a proper security clearance illustrates gross incompetence, and the attempt to cover it up illustrates blatant misconduct. The American people deserve answers and transparency. More importantly, they demand this never happens again.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe State Department\u2019s refusal to provide transparency regarding Robert Malley and the handling of his security clearance has been deeply concerning,\u201d said Senator Hagerty. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to introduce this legislation that will require the State Department to notify and brief Congress if it revokes or suspends security clearances of senior officials.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve to know about serious security breaches at the State Department,\u201d said Senator Barrasso. \u201cIt is especially important when it involves senior members like the Special Envoy to Iran. Without transparency and oversight in the reported mishandling of classified information, the Biden administration is putting our national security at risk. In light of the many challenges we face across the globe, Congress must be aware when senior members are under investigation for mishandling critical intelligence and information pertaining to our nation\u2019s security.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican diplomats are entrusted with some of our nation\u2019s most important information,\u201d said Senator Rubio. \u201cIf that trust is ever in doubt, and the State Department has suspended or revoked an official\u2019s security clearance, Congress and the American people have a right to know.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmericans want to know why the Biden administration has been so friendly with the Iranian regime, which sponsored the horrific October 7 terrorist attack, and why Biden administration officials have so single-mindedly enabled Iranian nuclear progress and terrorism,\u201d said Senator Cruz. \u201cThe Biden administration is deliberately not providing those answers. We know there was vast Iranian influence operation that went to the very top of the administration, we know that Iran Envoy Robert Malley was suspended, and we know investigations are ongoing. The Biden administration\u2019s cover-up must end.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Brian Mast (R-FL-21) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\nThe State Department Security Notification Act requires:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:49:58Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hagerty-expand-oversight-of-senior-diplomats-rescinded-security-clearances-following-iran-envoy-scandal/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6033400315791368, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}