Staff Reports
Republicans are demanding answers in response to a highly concerning action by a senior Biden official: inviting Chinese Communist Party representatives to a critical national security location. Elise Stefanik, chair of the Republican Conference, criticized the decision and demanded that President Biden promptly revoke the invitation. Stefanik cautioned that granting access to confidential nuclear test sites to China and Russia could potentially deprive them of vital intelligence regarding strategies to counter the United States' nuclear capabilities and improve their own. Particularly in light of the fact that our adversaries are actively amassing nuclear arsenals in an effort to undermine American leadership, she emphasized the peril of such a course of action.
🚨 JUST IN: Senior Biden official under fire for reportedly inviting CCP and Russian officials to tour top-secret nuclear testing sites.
WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT?! 🤦🏻♂️https://t.co/XfsDDeJheF
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) November 16, 2023
The aforementioned concern surfaced during a recent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, where the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) extended an invitation to Russian and Chinese counterparts to visit a Nevada facility utilized for delicate nuclear experiments. Nevertheless, neither China nor Russia have apparently accepted the invitation as of yet. A spokesperson for the Department of Energy (DOE) clarified that the United States remains committed to its nuclear testing moratorium and that there are no ongoing discussions or invitations from Russia or China.
Given that Russia recently withdrew from the last remaining nuclear weapons limitation treaty with the United States and President Putin signed legislation rescinding Russia's ratification of a global treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons testing, the timing of this invitation is particularly troubling. Relations between the two nations are deteriorating, as evidenced by these actions; Russia's decision has been criticized by the State Department.
Representative Doug Lamborn, a Republican, voiced grave apprehensions regarding the ability of foreign adversaries to observe nuclear testing operations in the United States. He posited that obtaining this access would empower them to duplicate American methodologies and processes, thereby obliterating deterrence altogether. Lamborn, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Armed Services, introduced legislation to prohibit foreign nationals from observing nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States. The House authorized this legislation last month as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
Republican legislators such as Stefanik and Lamborn emphasized the critical nature of safeguarding the nation's national security advantage. They noted that previous estimates of China's nuclear expansion are being surpassed, and the Department of Defense has issued a warning that the country may possess more than one thousand warheads by the end of this decade. The fact that China, a nation unwilling to engage in dialogue regarding nuclear escalation, would be granted unrequited access to sensitive U.S. military sites is extremely concerning. In their letter to Secretary Granholm, the Republicans emphasized the danger of bolstering China's nuclear arsenal expansion efforts.
Representative Rob Wittman, a Republican, expressed profound concern and fundamental irrationality regarding the provision of access to America's adversaries in light of this startling development. He joined his colleagues in demanding an explanation from the Biden administration regarding the invitation of officials of the Chinese and Russian Communist Parties to testing facilities and sensitive laboratories. This action serves to underscore the Democratic Party's disconcerting tendency to support America's declared adversaries.
Given the ongoing impeachment investigation concerning President Biden and his family's alleged involvement in a scheming scheme to influence foreign actors, including China and Ukraine, it is unsurprising that Republicans are growing more apprehensive regarding the policies and actions of the administration. Prioritizing the protection of our nuclear capabilities and interests while addressing these concerning issues is of utmost importance for the national security of the United States under the Biden administration.
