Tension between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Republican lawmakers is on the rise as the FBI amplifies warnings regarding terrorist attacks. The warnings stem from issues at the southern border, which Republicans argue that President Joe Biden (D) has exacerbated. Amidst the warnings, Texas Rep. Chip Roy (R) is concerned that the borders are left "intentionally and dangerously open" for nefarious reasons.
The House is expected to revisit the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978 this week. FISA determines the types of foreign intelligence collection, and the discussion that is scheduled for April 9th would address authorities under FISA's Title VII. Under this title, the House would discuss the future of allowing the National Security Agency (NSA) to electronically surveil foreign, non - U.S. targets as well as legally requiring warrants for the FBI to search for information regarding U.S. citizens that is gathered in the NSA's 702 database.
In reference to the border, Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. During the hearing, Director Wray cautioned that unlawful entries at the U.S.-Mexico border pose a serious threat to national security. It's a threat that he says has accelerated since the October 7th Hamas attack against Israel.
Federal intelligence agencies can currently conduct targeted, warrantless searches of foreigners under 702, and this has been scrutinized as critics warn that innocent Americans are subject to being improperly searched in the process. With this authority set to expire on April 19th, House Republicans could force a floor vote on certain amendments.
Some Republicans are now voicing their concerns against FISA by questioning the FBI and its motives.
"The FBI is saying a terrorist attack is imminent. OF COURSE A TERRORIST ATTACK IS IMMINENT BECAUSE THEY KEEP THE BORDER WIDE OPEN AND MILLIONS HAVE INVADED!" shared Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R) on social media.
She continued her attack on the federal agency by arguing that "FISA is up for reauthorization and they need maximum pressure on Congress to vote to reauthorize FISA - which the FBI unconstitutionally used to spy on hundreds of millions of Americans."
The Georgia lawmaker instead called for the border to be closed and for mass deportations to take place, but she assured this would not happen because "they care about controlling YOU."
Texas Rep. Chip Roy (R) weighed in on the issue through social media, writing that Rep. Green is correct.
"The motives here are extension of FISA for Intel community-and leaving borders intentionally & dangerously open."
Director Wray has called updating FISA "invaluable to protecting Americans and the homeland from malicious cyber actors, hostile nations and international terrorists, among other foreign threats."
