Washington D.C. – Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the Office of Personnel Management, Department of Homeland Security and Office of Management and Budget did not appear as scheduled to provide a classified briefing to the Committee this morning on the OPM data breach after learning the meeting would be transcribed. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community representatives briefed the committee as scheduled.

“I am disappointed that the Office of Personnel Management, Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget did not appear before the House Armed Services Committee today as planned. The OPM data breach is a grave incident involving multiple agencies that has serious consequences for impacted personnel. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from DoD, ODNI and USDI witnesses who were able to speak to the Department of Defense business and personnel equities. I understand that OPM, DHS and OMB cited the Committee’s intent to transcribe the classified briefing as the reason they chose not to appear in front of the Committee. However, it is imperative that we hear from all the agencies involved, as we move forward to address network intrusion and institute policies to decrease the likelihood that such a breach will occur again.”