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HR 80 · 119th CongressIn Committee
Drain the Intelligence Community Swamp Act of 2025
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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.
Armed Forces and National Security
Sponsor
Andy Biggs
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
January 3, 2025
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Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Armed Services, 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.
Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedUnder current law, security clearances are managed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and individual agencies like the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency. Clearances are typically revoked through established procedures that include investigation, notice, and opportunity for the individual to respond. Former intelligence officials retain security clearances after leaving government service if they meet ongoing eligibility standards, allowing them to consult with agencies or work in the private sector on classified matters. The clearance process is designed to protect national security while following due process protections.
This bill directs the immediate revocation of security clearances for 51 named former intelligence officials within 24 hours of enactment. The individuals listed are signatories to a public statement issued in October 2020 regarding Hunter Biden emails. The bill prohibits any future security clearance from being granted or renewed to these individuals. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense and the Attorney General are required to investigate these individuals regarding their role in the Hunter Biden laptop matter and their level of engagement with the Biden Presidential campaign.
The revocations take effect immediately upon the bill's enactment, with no transition period or appeal process specified in the legislation. The bill does not identify a funding source for the investigations mandated for the Secretary of Defense and Attorney General, suggesting these would be conducted using existing agency resources. The practical effect is that the named individuals would lose access to classified information and could no longer work on classified government contracts or consult with intelligence agencies on sensitive matters, potentially affecting their employment in the defense and intelligence contracting sectors.
Key Provisions
- 1Revoke security clearances within 24 hours of enactment for 51 named former intelligence officials who signed a public statement regarding Hunter Biden emails in October 2020.
- 2Prohibit the granting or renewal of security clearances to any of the 51 named individuals at any point in the future.
- 3Direct the Secretary of Defense and the Attorney General to investigate the named individuals regarding their role in the Hunter Biden laptop matter and their engagement with the Biden Presidential campaign.
★ Why this matters
Security clearances determine who can access classified information and work on sensitive government contracts. Revoking clearances immediately eliminates individuals' ability to work in intelligence, defense contracting, and related fields requiring classified access. The investigations directed by the bill could result in additional legal or administrative consequences for the named individuals. The lack of appeal procedures means affected individuals have no formal mechanism to contest the revocations.
● Who this affects
The 51 named former intelligence officials—including former directors of the CIA, National Security Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency—face immediate loss of clearances and future employment barriers in classified work. Defense contractors and intelligence agencies that employ or consult with these individuals will lose access to their services on classified projects. The Department of Defense and the Department of Justice must allocate resources to conduct the mandated investigations. Private-sector intelligence and defense firms that rely on cleared personnel will experience workforce disruptions in certain roles.
Bill Text
View on Congress.govShow / hide bill text preview
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 80
To revoke the security clearances of certain former members of the
intelligence community, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Biggs of Arizona (for himself and Mr. Davidson) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary,
and Armed Services, 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
A BILL
To revoke the security clearances of certain former members of the
intelligence community, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Drain the Intelligence Community
Swamp Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. REVOCATION OF SECURITY CLEARANCES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 24 hours after the date of
enactment of this Act, the security clearance of any individual listed
in subsection (c), signatories of the statement titled ``Public
Statement on the Hunter Biden Emails'' dated October 19, 2020, are
hereby revoked, and no security clearance may be granted or renewed for
any such individual.
(b) Investigations.--The Secretary of Defense and the Attorney
General shall investigate such individuals and their role in the Hunter
Biden laptop scandal and level of engagement with the Biden
Presidential campaign.
(c) Individuals Listed.--The individuals listed in this subsection
are the following:
(1) Jim Clapper.
(2) Mike Hayden.
(3) Leon Panetta.
(4) John Brennan.
(5) Thomas Finger.
(6) Rick Ledgett.
(7) John McLaughlin.
(8) Michael Morell.
(9) Mike Vickers.
(10) Doug Wise.
(11) Nick Rasmussen.
(12) Russ Travers.
(13) Andy Liepman.
(14) John Moseman.
(15) Larry Pfeiffer.
(16) Jeremy Bash.
(17) Rodney Snyder.
(18) Glenn Gerstell.
(19) David B. Buckley.
(20) Nada Bakos.
(21) Patty Brandmaier.
(22) James B. Bruce.
(23) David Cariens.
(24) Janice Cariens.
(25) Paul Kolbe.
(26) Peter Corsell.
(27) Brett Davis.
(28) Roger Zane George.
(29) Steven L. Hall.
(30) Kent Harrington.
(31) Don Hepburn.
(32) Timothy D. Kilbourn.
(33) Ron Marks.
(34) Jonna Hiestand Mendez.
(35) Emile Nakhleh.
(36) Gerald A. O…Party Positions
1 members formally cosponsored
Democratic Party
No position data available yet
Source: cosponsors
Republican Party
✓
1 member formally endorsed
Cosponsored this bill
Source: cosponsors
Cosponsor data and vote records sourced from Congress.gov. Reflects formal legislative actions only.