House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., stated that Congress must strike a balance between national security and civil liberties as lawmakers debate reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Comer described the surveillance authority as both essential and historically abused.
The FISA program, enacted in 1978, established legal procedures for government surveillance of foreign threats while requiring oversight through a special court system. Comer said he supports continuing the program despite concerns raised by some conservatives about past misuse by federal agencies.
“Well, I sure hope so,” Comer added when asked whether a long-term deal on FISA could be reached.
President Donald Trump has called for lawmakers to reauthorize the program, arguing it “has saved lives” and “is extremely important to our military,” despite his own privacy concerns. Comer noted he supported the president in a House vote that approved a short-term extension of FISA through April 30 after internal Republican divisions derailed efforts to pass longer renewals.
Lawmakers were called back into session late Thursday for a series of failed votes before ultimately agreeing to a 10-day stopgap measure to prevent the program from expiring. At the center of the debate is Section 702 of FISA, which allows intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets overseas without a warrant while also incidentally capturing communications involving Americans.
Comer acknowledged that the program has faced criticism for overreach, particularly regarding incidental collection of Americans’ communications. “I share the concerns of everyone with FISA being abused,” Comer said. He specifically pointed to prior administrations, stating, “We saw that time and time again under the Obama administration and Biden administrations, where deep state bureaucrats abused their FISA authority.”
Comer emphasized the urgency of maintaining the surveillance authority amid global threats. “But hopefully, we’ll come to a deal because we, as you said, we have to have it,” he stated. “We’re at war with Iran. We have other countries that are certainly a threat and always trying to create mischief in the United States.”
Comer added: “This is a tool in the toolbox for Trump’s intelligence community.”
Supporters of FISA argue the program is critical for tracking terrorists, cyber threats, and foreign adversaries, with intelligence agencies warning that losing the authority would limit the government’s ability to detect national security risks. At the same time, civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers continue to push for reforms, citing documented cases of improper surveillance.
Comer framed the issue as one requiring reform without abandonment, emphasizing both oversight and continued use. “And that’s why I voted for it last night,” he said.
The debate is expected to continue in the coming months as Congress considers whether to pass a longer-term extension and what safeguards should be added to address concerns about abuse.
By Alex Johnson | Friday, 17 April 2026
