Sen. Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Bipartisan representatives demand answers on expired surveillance programs Rep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy MORE (R-N.C.) predicts that former FBI Director James Comey will be able to discuss his conversations with President Trump during his testimony this week before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

"They've talked, but I understand that the special counsel has not fenced him off in any way, shape or form from the items he intends to talk about," Burr told CNN on Monday evening, when asked if former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel for the Russia investigation, had put limits on what Comey might discuss.

Pressed if Comey could discuss his conversations with Trump, the panel's chairman added, "I feel certain that he can."

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Comey is scheduled to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, where he'll likely face questions about the FBI's investigation into Russia's election meddling and potential ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

The former FBI director is also expected to be grilled on his surprise firing and conversations with Trump amid reports that the president asked him to back down on the bureau's investigation into former national security advisor Michael Flynn, who was fired earlier this year.

Comey has a history of giving headline-grabbing testimony before Congress, but he could be limited on what he can say about the FBI and DOJ probes into Russia's election interference and former Trump campaign officials because of the ongoing investigation.

Burr noted that the former FBI director "can't talk about anything that's classified in an open session."