Pentagon Restricts Info Shared with Congress

Washington Post: “In a May 8 internal memo… Shanahan lays out the criteria for when Pentagon officials may provide congressional offices or committees information they request about operational plans and orders.”

“The memo was shared widely inside the Pentagon but was sent to key lawmakers only after inquiries by The Post. It outlines a half-dozen guidelines, including requirements that military officials and political appointees evaluate whether the request ‘contains sufficient information to demonstrate a relationship to the legislative function.’ The memo urges Defense Department officials to provide a summary briefing rather than a requested plan or order itself.”

“The memo appears to have been inspired by concerns that lawmakers, who have security clearances, will not safeguard military plans. It calls on officials to assess “whether the degree of protection from unauthorized disclosure that Congress will afford to the plan is equivalent to that afforded” by the Pentagon.”