Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 7/29/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, introduced the Parity in Diplomatic Security Investigations Act to allow Diplomatic Security (DS) special agents to carry out the interception of wire, oral, and electronic communications without seeking preapproval every given time. 

By giving agents this authority during the course of their official activities, they have timely access to critical information during their investigations, which other federal law enforcement agencies currently have. 

“Diplomatic Security Service agents are tasked with protecting American personnel and sensitive sites in some of the most dangerous regions of the world. But, right now, they are hamstrung by an outdated process that requires case-by-case approval from the Secretary of State just to do what every other federal law enforcement agency can do. My Parity in Diplomatic Security Investigations Act ensures our agents can act swiftly and decisively in high-risk environments,” said Chairman Mike Lawler. 

As Chairman of the MENA Subcommittee, which holds jurisdiction over both the State Department’s Bureau of Management and Bureau of Counterterrorism, Lawler is leveraging his role to advance reforms that support a more agile and effective foreign policy.

Each of these bills, including the Parity in Diplomatic Security Investigations Act, has been submitted for consideration in the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s State Department reauthorization. 

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Full text of the bill can be found HERE.