Ranking Member Graham Statement on FISA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today made this statement on the importance of reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire next week.

“I just received a briefing about the importance of reauthorizing FISA. I have never seen so many circumstances in real life that mimic the TV show ‘24.’

“In December 2023, FBI Director Wray testified that he sees ‘blinking lights’ everywhere he turns, and the threat to the homeland is increasingly elevated. This is not a good time to turn off our ability to see those lights.

• “The rise of radical Islamic terrorism, as exhibited by the attack in Moscow, precipitated by our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, creates an environment where jihad is on steroids.
• “The crisis at the southern border has allowed illegal immigrants to flood into our country at an unprecedented rate, putting the safety of Americans at risk.
• “China is constantly cyberattacking our military and business interests.

“In this dangerous climate, it is clear that shutting down FISA would be the biggest national security mistake in the history of America. It is a tool that allows us to follow foreigners, who are on foreign soil, if they are suspected of being a threat to the United States.

“There are many protocols in place in this system to protect American interests. And there have been several necessary reforms made to FISA in years past.

“This program has protected American individuals and business interests from foreign plots and is an essential tool in the war on terror.

“Failing to reauthorize FISA would let our guard down at the worst possible time.

“I appreciate Speaker Johnson’s leadership on this issue, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that America does not let down its guard at a time of great threat.

“President Biden deserves blame for creating an environment that allows terrorism to thrive. But anybody who supports shutting down FISA and making us blind to terrorist threats will equally own future calamities that are certain to come if we let our guard down.”