§3117 Notice of counterintelligence assessments and investigations of Federal candidates or officeholders

Summary

The FBI Director must tell certain top lawmakers when the FBI opens a counterintelligence assessment or investigation of someone who is a candidate for federal office or who holds federal office. Notices go to the chair and top minority member of the congressional intelligence and Judiciary committees, the Speaker and House minority leader, and the Senate majority and minority leaders. Each notice must give a short summary of the key facts and the name of the person. The Director may choose not to notify a person who would otherwise get the notice if that person is the target of the assessment or investigation. Notices must be sent within 15 days after the assessment or investigation starts. For cases that began before December 18, 2025 and were still open on that date, notices must be sent within 15 days after December 18, 2025. The terms “appropriate congressional committees” means the congressional intelligence committees and the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The words “candidate” and “Federal office” are defined in 52 U.S.C. 30101.