U.S. congressional officials are assessing a suspected cyber intrusion after email systems used by staff working on key House committees were reportedly compromised, raising renewed concerns about foreign digital espionage targeting lawmakers.
According to reports published this week, the breach affected email accounts used by aides serving committees overseeing foreign affairs, intelligence, armed services and China policy. The incident was detected late last year, though it remains unclear whether the personal communications of elected lawmakers were accessed.
The intrusion has been linked by cybersecurity analysts to a hacking campaign known as Salt Typhoon, a group previously associated with espionage efforts aimed at Western government networks. Congressional staffers are considered high-value targets due to their access to sensitive policy discussions, draft legislation and national security briefings.
Beijing has strongly rejected the allegations. China’s foreign ministry dismissed the claims as politically driven and said the country opposes all forms of cyber crime, warning against what it described as the spread of unverified accusations.
U.S. authorities have not publicly detailed the scope of the breach or any counter-measures taken so far. Federal agencies and congressional offices are expected to review security protocols as investigations continue.
The episode adds to growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over cyber security, surveillance and the protection of government communications, particularly as the U.S. approaches another high-stakes election cycle.
