Who? Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) — Vice-chair, Senate Intelligence Committee Since killing our paywall, Ask a Pol’s down 25% of revenue from last year. Ask a Pol asks: What ever happened to your and Texas US Sen. John Cornyn’s bipartisan effort to address overclassification? Key Warner: “I forgot about that. We put in legislation. We have a bill,” Sen. Mark Warner exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “All of this area, everybody acknowledges we overclassify, but it never rises to the top. Same thing on security clearance reform. We’re trying to make sure that it’s not so complicated.” Military Industrial Pentagon Why are our military contractors exempt from FOIA — the Freedom of Information Act — when they’re so woven into the identity of today’s Pentagon? “I have no idea,” Warner says. It seems like the Pentagon can hide stuff from Congress by having a contractor deal with it? “That’s a fair question,” Warner says. “I gotta give you [better answer] — that’s the first time it’s [come up]…” Let us know what to ask Congress next! Caught our ear: “Bureaucratic protections are outweighing efficiency and transparency,” Warner tells us. “And, particularly now, with an administration that prides itself on not following the law or being transparent, it makes the problem much worse.” TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Mark Warner (2-5-2026) SCENE: After interviewing another Senator, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo is riding an underground Senate tram back to the US Capitol when Senate Intelligence Committee Vice-chair Mark Warner and an aide proceed to enter his tram… Laslo: Oh, you got on the wrong one. Warner sees Laslo and looks a tad nervous. Warner: I’ll just… Laslo: I’ve been looking for you. What ever happened to your guys’ effort — you and [Sen. John] Cornyn — to change classification? To deal with the overclassification problem? Warner: I forgot about that. Laslo: I know. That was, like, what 8 years ago in Congress time? Warner: We put in legislation. Laslo: Yeah? Did you guys have a bill? Warner: We have a bill. Laslo: Oh, really? Warner: Yeah, the bill — the bill, yes. Laslo: What’s that? Warner: It just hasn’t gotten — you know, all of this area, everybody acknowledges we overclassify, but it never rises to the top. Same thing on security clearance reform. We’re trying to make sure that it’s not so complicated. Laslo: Yeah? Warner: You know, people look at clearances, because, you know, it’s already put enough burden in front of — you really want to go work at the CIA when you’ve had rifts and we’ve had, you know, politicization. It’s going to be even harder if it takes two years to get a security clearance. Laslo: Yeah? Warner: So… Laslo: Do you think we’ll never see a standalone debate on that but we might see it tacked on to the NDAA or? Warner: It’s — part of the challenge is, if I can call it, it is a burden to over… Laslo: Yeah. Warner: To get people back from high classification, everybody’s afraid that, “Oh my gosh, will that piece of information that came out bite you” or will somebody get cleared that was inappropriate. Laslo: Yeah? Warner: And I just think, you know, it’s kind of like, bureaucratic protections are outweighing efficiency and transparency. And particularly now, with an administration that prides itself on not following the law or being transparent, it makes the problem much worse. Laslo: It’s a little separate but kind of similar, like, why are our military contractors exempt from FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] when they’re so woven into the identity of today’s Pentagon? Warner: I have no idea — I will… Laslo: Well, it seems like the Pentagon can hide stuff from Congress by having a contractor deal with it? Warner: That’s a fair question. Laslo: Yeah. Warner: I gotta give you [better answer] — that’s the first time it’s [come up]… Laslo: I throw stones at glass houses for a living. I got no answers. A gaggle of reporters greet the Senator. Press corps: Senator Warner… Ask a Pol AI Disclosure: Ask a Pol’s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape. (Generative) AI isn’t tomorrow’s tech — it’s yesterday’s, and we’re experimenting in public to stay ahead while always grounding our journalism in real‑world reporting and full, unedited transcripts. About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media: Substack X Spotify Apple Don’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics. Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoluaps.com/subscribe
