Grassley Supports DOJ Changes Expanding Congressional Access to Surveillance Court Proceedings

The Senate Judiciary chairman says revised rules restore oversight and align with prior FISA reform efforts.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Sen. Chuck Grassley on Tuesday expressed support for new transparency measures related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, citing recent changes by the Department of Justice that expand congressional access to key surveillance court proceedings.

The revisions apply to attendance procedures for both the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, which oversee government requests for surveillance related to national security matters. According to Grassley, the updated policies address longstanding concerns about limited congressional visibility into those proceedings.

“I applaud DOJ for lifting its restrictions on congressional oversight of FISC and FISCR proceedings,” Grassley said in a statement. “With Congress’s access fully restored, the Trump administration has faithfully implemented the reforms Congress called for in its last FISA reauthorization and proven its commitment to transparency and the protection of civil liberties.”

Grassley, who serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has previously called for increased oversight of intelligence-related legal processes, particularly those conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act framework.

The DOJ’s decision to revise its procedures is being presented as part of a broader effort to align current practices with reforms enacted during the most recent FISA reauthorization. The changes are intended to ensure that members of Congress can more fully observe and evaluate how surveillance authorities are being applied in court settings.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and its appellate counterpart operate largely behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of national security cases. The updated attendance rules are expected to provide lawmakers with greater insight into those proceedings while maintaining confidentiality requirements.

The development comes as policymakers continue to debate the balance between national security authorities and civil liberties, with oversight and transparency remaining central issues in discussions surrounding surveillance law.