'A Very Serious Matter': Concern In Congress Over Russia's Launch Of Alleged Space-Based Nuclear Weapon

Concern in Congress over the potential threat posed by Russia's alleged development of a new space-based nuclear weapon has died down somewhat following briefings Thursday on the Hill by the Biden administration.

The Capitol was quiet Friday, with members home on break, but intelligence surrounding the recent launch of a Russian rocket carrying a secret military payload had the place buzzing earlier this week.

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"It is a very serious matter," Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters Thursday.

Serious enough, ostensibly, that House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner used social media to publicly reveal the existence of the supposed national security threat and to demand that the President "declassify all information" relating to it.

"We make decisions about how and when to publicly disclose intelligence in a careful, deliberate and strategic way,” John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, responded to reporters, “in a way that we choose."

Members of the Oklahoma delegation backed Turner's call for more information.

"I do think it's a serious issue and it should be addressed,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK5) in an interview Thursday.

And it was.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Congressional leaders Thursday afternoon, including with Congressman Turner.

"I think the bottom line,” Turner (R-OH) said following the briefing, “is that we all came away with a very strong impression that the administration is taking this very seriously and that the administration has a plan in place."

Officials say Russia is developing a nuclear-capable weapon that would be used in space to destroy U.S. satellites, potentially disrupting communications and impeding military operations.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed fundamental details of the intelligence, but said people should not overreact: “This is not an active capability, it's a potential one that we're taking very, very seriously."

At the Munich Security Conference Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris also sought to reassure Western allies that the United States takes Russian threats seriously, whether they be in space or in Ukraine.

"Make no mistake,” said the Vice President, “Putin's war has already been an utter failure for Russia."

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies that the country is developing nuclear weapons for space. He says this is just disinformation from the Biden administration designed to pressure Congress into approving more aid for Ukraine.