Intelligence Threat Cited by Lawmaker Relates to Russia

"WASHINGTON -- A senior Republican lawmaker publicly warned about an unspecified "serious national-security threat" to the U.S. and requested President Biden to declassify information to allow for open discussion about how to respond to it, a move that sparked confusion in Congress just as lawmakers were debating whether to reauthorize a controversial spying program.

The unusual statement, issued by Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said that classified intelligence had been made available to all members of Congress to review.

The classified intelligence is highly sensitive and relates to a Russian military capability involving incomplete ambitions to develop a nuclear weapon in space that could be used to target satellites, according to people familiar with the matter. 

One of the people said the issue was serious but something that select lawmakers had in their possession for weeks and wasn't something presenting imminent urgency that should alarm the U.S. public or allies.

Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, told reporters Wednesday that he had reached out to the so-called Gang of Eight -- the Democratic and Republican leaders of each chamber and the heads of the intelligence committees -- to schedule a briefing on a national-security matter that is set for Thursday. Sullivan didn't specify what the issue was, but he did note that it was "highly unusual" for the national security adviser to reach out to members of Congress directly for such a briefing.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) said he was aware of the threat and that "there's no need for alarm."

The request from Turner appeared to catch other top lawmakers and officials off guard, with some acknowledging they were aware of the threat and working to brief members.

It landed a day after Ukraine said that Russia had this month launched for the first time an advanced hypersonic missile that is difficult to shoot down during an air raid on Kyiv. The kind of missile allegedly used, if confirmed, would represent an escalation in Russia's capabilities of attacking. 

The Senate on Tuesday passed a $95.3 billion aid package that includes more funding for Ukraine, but the bill's future is uncertain in the House.

It also came amid a debate in the House splintering both parties concerning whether to renew a spy program that targets foreign threats overseas but collects electronic data on some Americans as well. Privacy advocates have long sought to require a warrant before the Federal Bureau of Investigation or other agencies can search the data for information about Americans, and Johnson had signaled there would be votes this week on legislation to renew the program, which will expire in April absent congressional reauthorization. Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for Johnson said any votes on FISA would be delayed.

Sens. Mark Warner (D., Va.) and Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), the leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the panel "has the intelligence in question, and has been rigorously tracking this issue from the start."" [1]

1. U.S. News: Intelligence Threat Cited by Lawmaker Relates to Russia. Volz, Dustin; Lubold, Gordon;
Hughes, Siobhan.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 15 Feb 2024: A.4.