Statement on the Accessing of Passport Records of Sens. Obama, Clinton and McCain

March 26, 2008  

Recent reports that individuals involved in passport processing activities at the State Department had improperly accessed the passport files of Senators Obama, Clinton and McCain should be disturbing to us all.  Such breaches are entirely unacceptable and should be thoroughly and promptly investigated.   

However, some have incorrectly suggested that these violations are the result of the State Department’s use of contractors to support the passport processing operation. In fact, contractor employees are subject to virtually the same background screening and file access restrictions as federal employees working on passport processing.  Further, violations appear to have been committed by both State Department and contractor employees. Finally, as soon as the violations were disclosed, the two companies involved moved swiftly and appropriately to deal with their employees involved—two were terminated immediately and one is being kept on at the request of the State Department pending completion of the department’s investigation.

The State Department properly relies on contractors for a wide range of support. This partnership is an essential component of today’s government.  As always, individuals must be held personally accountable for their actions, whether employed by the government or by a contractor. In this case, we know that is precisely what was done to the contractors’ employees.    

If you would like a direct quote from PSC President & CEO Stan Soloway, please contact Carrie Lake at 703-875-8144.