The head of the US House Intelligence Committee is asking on Joe Biden to declassify details about “a serious national security threat”.
Republican congressman Mike Turner gave no particulars concerning the nature of the menace, however a senior aide stated that they understood the menace pertains to a space-deployed Russian anti-satellite weapon that will or could not have already been deployed.
Such a weapon may pose a serious hazard to American satellites that transmit billions of bytes of information on an hourly foundation.
The Biden administration declined to particularly deal with the alleged menace.
The aide, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of sensitivity of the matter, stated it was not but clear if the Russian weapon has nuclear functionality, however stated that’s the concern.
However, a number of main politicians, together with House Speaker Mike Johnson, warned towards Americans being overly alarmed.
Information is ‘important’ however ‘not a trigger for panic’
Mr Turner despatched an e-mail to members of Congress on Wednesday saying his committee had “identified an urgent matter with regard to a destabilising foreign military capability” that ought to be recognized to all congressional policymakers.
He inspired them to return to a safe space to evaluation the intelligence.
Mr Turner has been a voice for stronger US nationwide safety, placing him at odds with some Republican colleagues who favour a extra isolationist method.
He has referred to as for the renewal of a key US authorities surveillance software whereas some fellow Republicans and liberal Democrats have raised privateness objections.
And he helps persevering with US navy assist for Ukraine in its warfare towards Russia at a time when the funding stays unsure due to opposition within the Republican-led House.
Mr Johnson stated he was not at liberty to reveal the categorized data.
“But we just want to assure everyone steady hands are at the wheel. We’re working on it and there’s no need for alarm,” he instructed reporters.
Democratic congressman Jim Himes, the rating member of the Intelligence Committee, stated in a press release that the categorized data is “significant” however “not a cause for panic.”
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The Senate Intelligence Committee stated it has been monitoring the difficulty.
“We continue to take this matter seriously and are discussing an appropriate response with the administration,” Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic committee chairman, and Senator Marco Rubio, the Republican vice chairman, stated in a press release.
“In the meantime, we must be cautious about potentially disclosing sources and methods that may be key to preserving a range of options for US action.”
National safety adviser Jake Sullivan instructed reporters on the White House that he already had been as a result of transient Mr Turner and different senior congressional leaders on Thursday.
Mr Sullivan didn’t disclose the subject or present some other particulars associated to Mr Turner’s assertion.
“I’m focused on going to see him, sit with him as well as the other House members of the Gang of Eight, tomorrow,” he stated.
“And I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”
Source: information.sky.com”