Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, says he was briefed by officials from the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. intelligence community on a series of counter-terrorism raids that were designed to disrupt an alleged plot to attack New York City.

McCaul, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said individuals had been under surveillance when search warrants were carried out at a number of locations.

As the ranking Republican on the House subcommittee that oversees intelligence for homeland security, McCaul said he was "working closely with federal agents" to keep abreast of developments.

Authorities raided homes in New York City early Monday after a person with suspected ties to al-Qaida met with other individuals in Queens.

Rep. Peter King, R-New York, the senior Republican on the House Committee on Homeland Security, said he had also been briefed on the raids. King said an unnamed individual who "was being watched" had met with "a group of individuals" in Queens, prompting the FBI to obtain an emergency search warrant to conduct the raids.