The Public Interest Declassification Board (the Board) thanks you, the public, for joining our virtual meeting yesterday, Wednesday, October 7, 2020. This was the second virtual public meeting of the Board, and the first meeting held by WebEx video conference. Over 130 people registered to see and listen to remarks by the Archivist of the United States David Ferreiro, Senator Ron Wyden, and the Board members about the need to modernize the classification and declassification system. Sen. Wyden discussed the Declassification Reform Act of 2020, proposed legislation which he is co-sponsoring with Sen. Jerry Moran. This proposed legislation aligns with recommendations in the Board’s May 2020 Report to the President, A Vision for the Digital Age: Modernization of the U.S. National Security Classification and Declassification System. The Board’s Executive Secretary Mark Bradley introduced former Congressman Harold W. “Trey” Gowdy as the newest member of the Board. He was appointed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in August. Board members also responded to questions received from the public. As Acting Board Chair Alissa Starzak indicated, all questions received online by the Board will receive a response. We will post all questions and responses here on the Transforming Classification blog.
If you were unable to submit a question or comment, or were unable to attend the video meeting, we invite you to continue submitting questions by email to pidb@nara.gov. As was the case during the public meeting, all questions and comments will be posted anonymously. The Board looks forward to continuing the public discussion on improving the national security classification and declassification system, both here and at the next public meetings.