[ad_1]
WASHINGTON — The Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee warned Wednesday of a “grave national security threat,” but detailed Russia’s desire to plant nuclear weapons in space, as reviewed by USA TODAY. It turned out that the US intelligence agency was involved.
The information, confirmed by two U.S. officials who are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, is the subject of a Thursday meeting between President Joe Biden’s top national security adviser and Congressional leaders. It’s planned.
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) warned Biden in an ominously worded statement Wednesday ahead of a scheduled meeting that “Congress, the administration, and our allies must take the necessary actions to respond to this threat. “We have asked that all information regarding this threat be declassified so that we can openly discuss this threat.” ”
Mr. Turner did not provide further details, but in a letter to his House colleagues said the issue was urgent “with regard to destabilizing foreign military capabilities.” He said the committee on Tuesday resolved to make certain information related to this threat available to all members of Congress.
ABC News reported that Russia is trying to put nuclear weapons in space to potentially target satellites, not to drop them on Earth. Thursday marks the second anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.
Preparing to vote: See who’s running for president and compare their positions on important issues with our voter guide
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan did not elaborate on the nature of the threat at a briefing with reporters, but said that personally contacting the “Gang of Eight” members of Congress was “highly unusual.” He admitted that he had taken such measures. Turner – Invite them to Thursday’s information session.
“Let’s talk about that tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “I contacted Turner to see him. Turner went out in public. I’m going to see Turner tomorrow. I’ll leave it there for today.”
Sullivan added: “From there we will decide how to proceed.”
The meeting with Mr. Sullivan on Thursday, with the Senate in recess, included Mr. Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Mr. Turner, and Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee. ) only four Democratic and Republican House leaders are scheduled to participate.
“I am confident that we can, will and continue to protect the national security of the United States and the American people,” Sullivan said.
Chairman Johnson: “There’s no need to cause a stir”
Turner was part of a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers who visited Kyiv last week and vowed to help push security funding through Congress to help Ukraine protect itself from Russia.
The Senate on Tuesday approved a $95 billion foreign aid bill that includes defense funding for Ukraine and Israel by a vote of 70-29, but Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not consider the bill. Ta.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he would attend the meeting with Sullivan, telling reporters: “I want to reassure the public that there is no need for public alarm.”
“We will work together to tackle this issue in the same way we approach all sensitive sensitive issues,” Johnson said. “We just want to make sure everyone has their hands on the wheel.”
Himes, the committee’s ranking Democrat, said the threat is “significant, but not cause for panic.”
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told USA TODAY that the threat “needs to be declassified, and I think we need to do everything we can to educate ourselves and acknowledge it.” He declined to provide further details. .
The committee’s Senate officials said in a statement that the Senate Intelligence Committee “is aware of the information in question and has been closely following this matter since its inception.”
“We continue to take this matter seriously,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), vice chairman of the committee. “We are discussing appropriate responses with the administration.” said in a joint statement.
“In the meantime, we must be cautious about potentially disclosing information sources or methods that may be key to maintaining a wide range of U.S. options for action,” it said in a statement.
[ad_2]
Source link
