Sessions addresses DoD background check system delays; calls for leadership action

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Pete Sessions, Congressman | NBC News

Sessions addresses DoD background check system delays; calls for leadership action

Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) addressed ongoing problems with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) during a hearing focused on the modernization of federal background checks and security clearances. The hearing revisited issues first raised by the Subcommittee in June 2024, emphasizing persistent failures in personnel vetting.

Sessions noted that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has tracked problems in federal personnel vetting since 2005. He recalled testimony from former Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Director David Cattler about management shortcomings, oversight challenges, scheduling delays, cost overruns, and cybersecurity risks associated with NBIS.

In his remarks, Sessions stated: "Welcome to today’s hearing on the modernization of the federal government’s background investigations and security clearance process—in particular, the Department of Defense’s National Background Investigation Services system, also known as NBIS."

He highlighted that NBIS was intended to be a comprehensive platform for all phases of federal personnel vetting but has only deployed limited capabilities so far. The program is now more than eight years behind schedule, with completion delayed from 2019 to 2028. According to Sessions, this delay has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars spent by taxpayers and raised concerns about the reliability and safety of federal personnel vetting.

"This has cost the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars and has wasted valuable government resources," Sessions said.

The delay also affects broader efforts to reform personnel vetting policies under Trusted Workforce 2.0. Without reforms or updated technologies like NBIS, agencies and contractors continue to face slow onboarding processes and delayed facility access.

Sessions emphasized bipartisan concern over these issues: "As was clear at our last hearing, concerns about NBIS are shared by Members on both sides of the aisle. This is not a partisan issue. This is a national security issue."

He called for continued collaboration to ensure efficient and accountable vetting systems: "We must continue to work together to ensure the security, efficiency and accountability of these personnel vetting systems and processes, which will play an incredibly vital role in safeguarding our national interests."

Sessions also pointed out that DCSA remains without a permanent director more than seven months after Director Cattler's retirement. He expressed hope for updates regarding both leadership at DCSA and progress with NBIS implementation: "Today I look forward to hearing more about progress towards hiring a new DCSA Director, as well as the status of the National Background Investigation Services program."

He concluded by stating his commitment to using congressional oversight to address remaining challenges.

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