Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act

Floor Speech

Date: April 12, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chair, to my folks at home: Are you concerned about counterterrorism threats? I am, too.

FISA section 702 informed the planning for the February 2022 U.S. military operation that resulted in the death in Syria of Hajji `Abdallah, the leader of ISIS. That is one example.

Are you concerned about fentanyl? I am, too. We were able to leverage FISA section 702 intelligence to identify a foreign actor overseas who was supplying a pill press machine and other equipment to drug cartels in Mexico to help thwart that fentanyl threat.

Are you concerned about cyber threats? I am, too.

FISA section 702 played an important role in the U.S. Government's response to a cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline back in 2021 and other cyber threats that have taken place since then.

Are you concerned about threats to our troops? I am, too.

FISA section 702 has identified threats to U.S. troops and disrupted planned terrorist attacks on those troops overseas in places like the Middle East, a U.S. facility, specifically in the Middle East. Section 702 was used to monitor communications as those terrorists traveled to execute those plans.

We can't overstate the importance of 702, and I know you are concerned about the rights of the American people. I am, too.

I am an American, just like you are. That is why there already is a warrant requirement in place. We are protecting U.S. persons. We can't allow 702 to expire and expect that we are going to have good results at the end of the day.

Mr. Chair, I support section 702, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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