Following the Senate’s adoption last week of the Lautenberg Amendment to strip the security clearance of anyone who knowingly reveals classified information, a group of Senators yesterday called on the White House Security Officer to reevaluate Karl Rove’s security clearance.  In addition to Lautenberg, Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI),Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Mark Dayton (D-MN) also signed the letter.

During debate last Thursday on the Defense Authorization bill, the Senate adopted an amendment by U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) to revoke the security clearance of anyone who knowingly reveals classified information vital to the national security of the United States, including the identity of a covert intelligence agent.  (In order to avoid a roll call vote on the amendment, Republicans opted for a rare device known as a “Standing Division” to approve the measure.)

Lautenberg and other Senators sent a letter today seeking confirmation from Mark Frownfelter, the official in charge of security clearances for White House officials, that he is investigating and reevaluating the security clearances of Karl Rove and other Administration officials referenced in the indictment of former Cheney Chief of Staff I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby.  Under Federal rules cited in the Senators’ letter, upon learning of “adverse information” regarding handling of classified information, Mr. Frownfelter is required to take “prompt action to investigate alleged violations of security, and recommen[d] appropriate administrative action with respect to violators.”

 â€œThe Senate affirmed the view anyone who reveals the identity of a covert agent should be stripped of their security clearance,” said Senator Lautenberg. “Yet Karl Rove still has access to some of the most sensitive classified information vital to this nation’s national security.  If Karl Rove blew the cover of a CIA agent, he should not be in the position to do it again. His clearance should be stripped.”