State Department Clamps Down on Speaking to Congress or Press

[Geee]

Heritage Foundation:

The State Department has quietly issued a new policy that some insiders view as designed to keep employees from freely speaking to Congress or the press about Benghazi and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s email controversy.

 

“It’s an absolute overreach,” says Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz.

 

The State Department issued 19 pages of revised rules about official clearance for speaking, writing and teaching on July 27.

 

The new rules, first reported by Diplopundit, a blog that unofficially watches State Department leadership and management issues, say in part: “Employee testimony, whether in an official capacity or in a personal capacity on a matter of Departmental concern may be subject to the review requirements of this subchapter. Employees should consult with the Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser or [u.S. Agency of International Development’s] Office of the General Counsel, as appropriate, to determine applicable procedures.”

 

According to the pseudonymously published Diplopundit, “In practical terms, we think this means that if you get summoned to appear before the House Select Benghazi Committee and is testifying in your personal capacity as a former or retired employee of the State Department, these new regulations may still apply to you, and you may still need clearance before your testimony.”