STATEMENT FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AND RANKING MEMBERS HIMES AND RASKIN ON FISA SECTION 702

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Ranking Member Jim Himes and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin released the following statement on the House GOP's vote to extend FISA Section 702 with no meaningful reforms:

"Section 702 is a critical foreign intelligence authority, but we cannot in good conscience vote for reauthorization without significant reforms to protect both national security and the constitutional privacy rights of Americans.

"Bill Pulte has no relevant national security experience. Consequently, his appointment is in defiance of the law that requires the Director of National Intelligence to have 'extensive' national security experience. The apparent motivation for his elevation is the demonstrated willingness of Bill Pulte to search government databases for alleged dirt on President Trump's chosen political enemies.

"There is a path to reauthorizing FISA, but it will require enacting meaningful reforms. We oppose this bill to kick the can further down the road."

###