The number of new security clearances provided by the federal government, including renewals, has decreased by 9 percent since 2011, according to a new report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The number of approved clearances dropped for the second consecutive year in FY2013, to just more than 777,000.
Thousands of tax delinquents, including one who owes the IRS $2 million, have sensitive security clearances, posing a risk that has gone undetected by federal agencies, congressional investigators will report this Thursday.
Lengthy wait times for security clearances in government positions aren't necessarily changing recruiting policies, but they are discouraging some of the best applicants.
The current tool used by the Director of National Intelligence for determining clearance levels produces wildly different results than government standards.