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House passes more than 56 Reforms to Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act, Reauthorizing for Two Years
Includes Crenshaw Amendment to include Narco-Traffickers as allowable Targets
Today I presented the facts on FISA while speaking on the House floor, and also discussed my amendment to include drug cartels as allowable targets.
The reforms in our reauthorization bring about significant changes, notably diminishing the FBI's access to the FISA database and introducing criminal penalties for abusing it.
I also discussed the importance of my amendment to include cartels as targets under FISA. It is insane that we have not been able to use FISA to target the affiliates of cartels, such as bankers, accountants, and others who help operate their business. My amendment corrects that mistake.
As Chairman of the Task Force to Combat Mexican Drug Cartels, I know the drug cartels are a direct threat to our national security. Now we will be able to do what is needed to dismantle the cartels and target them in the same way we have al Qaeda, ISIS and Hamas.
This bill isn't about spying on Americans; it's about safeguarding them by going after foreign terrorists, cartels and governments abroad that want to do us harm. Period.
Debunking the Myths and Misconceptions about FISA
There has been a lot of controversy - and lies - this week over the re-authorization of FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act). Rep. Crenshaw sat down with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent and member of House Intel, to debunk the hand wringing and misconceptions about FISA. They give an overview of FISA's history and its distinction between Title One and Title Three, and delve into the role of Section 702 in enhancing national security measures. Misconceptions surrounding FISA are addressed, including the distinction between evidence collection and querying lawfully obtained data. They scrutinize proposals for a secondary warrant requirement and their potential impact on law enforcement investigations. They also discuss limitations on law enforcement capabilities and proposed reforms to prevent abuses within intelligence agencies. For 14 years prior to representing his hometown of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District, Brian Fitzpatrick served our nation both as an FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor, fighting both domestic and international political corruption, and supporting global counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts – including being embedded with U.S. Special Forces as part Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Crenshaw discusses Israel and FISA reform with Neil Cavuto
This week I also spoke to Neil Cavuto of Your World with Neil Cavuto on Fox News. We discussed the situation in Israel and FISA reforms.
Hamas is an existential threat to Israel and won’t back down. We could have a ceasefire today if Hamas would surrender and release the hostages.
Now we are hearing they may not even have the hostages to negotiate a ceasefire. What happened to the hostages?
Let’s be honest. The only thing that has kept entities like Iran from making this a larger war, is the threat that the U.S. will stop them. If you take that threat off the table, it becomes much more dangerous. If you want peace, you must exhibit strength.
The Brian Kilmeade Show
I joined Brian Kilmeade on his radio show to discuss FISA reauthorization and my amendment, both of which passed the House.
I had just stepped off the House floor after debating my amendment. The amendment will allow the intelligence community to target foreign narco-traffickers. Make no mistake, the cartels are a national security threat and must be dismantled and this amendment will help us do just that.
I also discussed the broader FISA reauthorization bill, why we need, and what it allows our intel community to do and not do.
Congressional Art Competition
It's that time of year again, the Congressional Art Competition! If you are in High School, live in the 2nd Congressional District of Texas, and are a talented artist, please enter. This year's them in "Texas," and the deadline to enter is April 24.
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