January 8, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Emails belonging to staff members of several key committees in the U.S. House of Representatives have been compromised in a cyber intrusion linked to a Chinese hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon.”
According to reports, the hackers gained unauthorized access to email systems used by staffers attached to the House China Committee, as well as aides working with committees overseeing foreign affairs, intelligence, and armed services. The identities of the specific staff members affected were not disclosed.
The cyber intrusion was reportedly detected in December, and investigators are still assessing whether the attackers accessed the email accounts of elected lawmakers themselves.
A person familiar with the matter said it remains unclear how deep the breach went, particularly whether sensitive congressional communications were exposed.
Responding to the allegations, Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu dismissed the claims as “unfounded speculation and accusations.” Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declined to comment on the incident. The White House and the offices of the four reportedly affected House committees also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
U.S. lawmakers and their aides — especially those involved in oversight of the nation’s military and intelligence agencies — have long been targets of cyber espionage, with hacking attempts and breaches reported periodically.
In November, multiple congressional offices were alerted to a cyber incident involving possible unauthorized access to communications between the Congressional Budget Office and some Senate offices. Earlier incidents have also raised alarms: in 2023, reports indicated that two senior U.S. lawmakers were targeted in a hacking operation linked to Vietnam.
The Salt Typhoon group, which U.S. authorities allege operates on behalf of Chinese intelligence, has previously been accused of collecting Americans’ telephone metadata and intercepting private conversations, including those involving U.S. politicians and government officials. Beijing has repeatedly denied any involvement in such espionage activities.
In response to the alleged campaign, the United States last year imposed sanctions on suspected hacker Yin Kecheng and the cybersecurity firm Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology, accusing them of playing roles in the Salt Typhoon cyber operations.
The latest breach has renewed concerns in Washington over the vulnerability of congressional communications and the growing threat of state-linked cyber espionage.
