I personally am not State Department, I am a military attaché, though in my line of work I work with more State Department people than DoD. But yes, all of us with clearances sign non-disclosure agreements.
In fact, I am looking at a non-disclosure agreement right now. Let’s see, it prohibits the UNAUTHORIZED disclosure of classified information and unclassified information that is under the process of classification determination. Before one can disclose such information they must verify the recipient has been properly authorized by the United States Government to receive it. It states one can be terminated, or under certain cases, face criminal prosecution for breaking the agreement.
So obviously a problem arises when one branch of the government requests the information and another branch says no. Practically speaking, we are employees of the Executive Branch and it is the Executive Branch that grants, and can take, our security clearances. Thus it is the Executive Branch that hold sway over our careers. So unless the Judiciary steps in to break the stalemate, the prudent thing is to follow the instructions of the Executive Branch. That said, I respect those who disobey orders on moral grounds, they just have to be willing to face the consequences, and in this case it could mean getting fired or at least doing damage to their careers. I can't imagine they would face criminal charges for cooperating with Congress. Too much bad press.
