Legislation would require FBI to inform Congress when it investigates a candidate

Legislation introduced in the House this week would close a loophole in current law and require the FBI director to notify the House and Senate Intelligence Committee when a counterintelligence investigation is opened about a candidate for federal office.

The requirement also would apply into investigations about the campaigns for candidates for federal office and individuals knowingly associated with campaigns for candidates for federal office.

In 2017, then-FBI Director James Comey spoke at a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing. Comey admitted he did not follow protocols or procedures when it came to notifying Congress a counterintelligence investigation had been opened into the Donald Trump presidential campaign. Comey said this was because he was not required to do so.

“Despite informal protocols followed in the past, James Comey failed to notify Congress about his investigation into the Trump presidential campaign,” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who introduced the bill, said. “This loophole in the law allows the FBI to circumvent Congress and unilaterally conduct investigations without any congressional oversight. My bill will ensure that the right congressional overseers are informed of sensitive counterintelligence investigations into campaigns for Federal office, and I’m proud to lead this effort for transparency.”