The Federal Bureau of Investigation is not seeking to circumvent Congress by asking the courts to provide access to an encrypted device, the agency’s director told House members in response to a question from the House Judiciary Committee’s leading Democrat.

“Given that you’ve asked us to provide you with that authority since taking your position at the bureau, and given Congress has explicitly denied you that authority thus far, can you appreciate our frustration that this case appears to be little more than end run around this committee?” Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., asked FBI Director James Comey.