Chairman Cole Opening Remarks on Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act

As prepared for delivery:

Good afternoon.

Today’s hearing covers a single item, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act.

As members are aware, Title Seven of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, expires on April 19 of this year. Title Seven provides critical tools to our national security and intelligence apparatus to help protect the homeland. In particular, Title Seven allows surveillance of, and the collection of, intelligence about foreign actors who intend harm, including terrorists, narcotraffickers, and other criminals. Terror attacks have been prevented, terrorists located, and criminals prosecuted as a result of intelligence collected under Title Seven.

Despite these successes, it is also indisputable that Title Seven authorities have been abused, and these authorities are in need of reform to prevent further abuses in the future.

Today’s measure, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, is a negotiated product between the committees of jurisdiction that will ensure the House’s position on the need for FISA reform is clear. The bill provides critical reforms to Title Seven, reforms that will protect the constitutional rights of Americans and ensure that our national security and law enforcement agencies cannot weaponize Title Seven to target people based on their political beliefs. It will also reauthorize Title Seven for five years from the date of enactment.

I look forward to consideration of this important measure today.

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