As I noted months ago, the AG has the power to sign off on a FISA without a FSIC hearing in unusual/emergency situations.
I believe that Comey and Lynch both signed off without FISC hearing
Sessions did a helluva lot appointing Huber, increasing child trafficking arrests and 61,000+ indictments https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-smashes-records-violent-crime-gun-crime-illegal-immigration-prosecutions