Burchett among lawmakers opposing warrantless surveillance

19 GOP lawmakers blocked FISA program from progressing
FBI director says measure is crucial for national security
Congressman: You can't spy on Americans 'without a search warrant'

Updated: Apr 11, 2024 / 08:57 PM CDT

(NewsNation) — House Republican leaders are trying to pass a warrantless surveillance program that listens in on noncitizens abroad who are believed to pose a threat to the United States.

FBI Director Christopher Wray called the program a crucial tool to keep the homeland safe, but 19 Republican lawmakers blocked the legislation from advancing Wednesday.

One of those lawmakers, Congressman Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., joined “The Hill” on Thursday.

“You’re not supposed to be able to spy on Americans without a search warrant,” he said.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, allows the government to surveil only noncitizens located abroad. During that process, however, the government intercepts incoming communications from Americans interacting with the foreigners who are under surveillance, NewsNation’s partner The Hill reported.

Burchett said the FBI has misused those powers.

“We know it, they’ve admitted to it and there’s possibly a whole lot more…” he said.