Hinson, Gallagher, Select Committee Members Require DoD & FBI Briefing on CCP Spies Infiltrating U.S. Military Bases

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI), alongside members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), today requested a briefing from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and FBI Director Christopher Wray, amidst a drastic increase in Chinese Communist Party spies accessing sensitive military, economic, and technological secrets on U.S. soil. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese nationals gained or to tried to access U.S. military bases and sensitive sites at least 100 times over the past few years.

The letter was also signed by Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Andy Barr (R-KY), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Jim Banks (R-IN), and Carlos Gimenez (R-FL).

The lawmakers discussed expansive CCP espionage efforts, citing recent high-profile crimes like the Chinese spy balloon traversing the continental United States and the CCP's penetration of Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's email account before her trip to China.

In the letter, the members wrote, "In one case, potential agents infiltrated a U.S. Army test range, accessed numerous missile sites, and used drone technology to surveil the grounds. In another case, individuals were found scuba diving in a location home to a launch site for U.S. spy satellites and other sensitive military equipment. Indeed, these incidents are not limited to military sites. There are also ongoing efforts to collect intelligence on the White House—including its layout, security, and communications equipment."

Hinson added, "This latest example of the Chinese Communist Party’s brazen espionage – whether it’s their spies speeding through security checkpoints, “scuba diving” near a U.S. rocket-launch site, or crossing into a U.S. missile range – should send a chill up every Americans’ spine. The Select Committee needs to know what the DoD and FBI are doing – or not doing – to protect U.S. military sites and national security. We have to hold China accountable for the dangerous surveillance state they’ve propped up right under our nose with seemingly no consequences.”

The lawmakers requested a classified briefing no later than October 6, 2023, from both Secretary Austin and Director Wray to understand how the Pentagon and FBI protect against CCP espionage on sensitive military sites.

Read the letter here.

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