May 15, 1974
Page 14779
ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS ON GOVERNMENT SECRECY
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations has scheduled 6 days of hearings on Government secrecy – May 22, 23, 29, 30, and 31 and June 10 – to consider legislation dealing with the classification of official information related to the national defense and to conduct oversight on the implementation of the President's Executive Order 11652 of March 8, 1972, regulating information classification practices.
The subcommittee has been fortunate in obtaining for these hearings the testimony of witnesses of great stature and distinguished service in previous administrations as well as officials of the present administration responsible for supervising classification policies and practices. Sponsors of five pending secrecy control measures – S. 1520, S. 1726, S. 2451, S. 3393, and S. 3399 – as well as of S. 2738, dealing with Government surveillance of individuals – are also to testify at the hearings.
The fact that so much legislation has been offered in this field is proof of the concern in this Congress with the established practice of deferring to executive regulation of Government secrecy. We have seen how such unmonitored regulation has led to abuse of classification standards in order to deceive the Congress and mislead the public.
It is our intention at these hearings, to seek ways to put a clear legislative foundation under secrecy standards and a binding statutory limitation over officials who implement those standards. Our aim is to find and guarantee the balance between the confidentiality needed to conduct the national defense and the free flow of information needed to maintain our democratic heritage.
Any person wishing additional information should contact Mrs. Lucinda T. Dennis, chief clerk of the subcommittee at 225-4718.