Senators Question Government Security Clearance Process

Want to know why Aaron Alexis' police records weren't uncovered

Senators on Thursday questioned the government's security clearance process, calling it "shocking" that investigators doing a security check on accused Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis did not consult police records before giving him clearance.

In a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, senators peppered administration officials to explain how "secret-level" clearances could be given without having to check police records even if the applicant for clearance had an arrest history.

They asked Elaine Kaplan, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management for an explanation regarding Alexis, who went on a shooting rampage and killed 12 people plus himself at Washington's Navy Yard last month.