In a bold move, a coalition of 18 House Republicans led by GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., has written a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, urging her to revoke the Department of Energy's (DOE) invitation that granted China and Russia unprecedented access to a sensitive U.S. nuclear testing site. The Republicans expressed concerns that this move would provide valuable information to the adversaries and compromise America's nuclear capabilities.

The invitation, extended during the International Atomic Energy Agency summit, aimed to demonstrate the U.S.'s commitment to the three-decade moratorium against nuclear weapons testing. However, the Republicans argue that allowing China and Russia to observe U.S. nuclear testing activities would enable them to understand American methods and procedures, ultimately weakening deterrence.

Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., emphasized that protecting and strengthening the U.S. nuclear arsenal should be a top priority, stating, "In the world today, nothing could jeopardize our national security more than losing this advantage." He introduced a bill to block foreign nationals from witnessing U.S. nuclear weapons testing, which was attached to the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The letter also highlighted China's expanding nuclear capabilities and the failure of both China and Russia to be transparent about their nuclear weapons development. The Department of Defense has warned that China's nuclear expansion is exceeding previous U.S. projections. The Republicans expressed concern that granting China access to sensitive laboratories and testing facilities without any reciprocal actions threatens to embolden their efforts to grow their nuclear arsenal.

House Republicans are outraged by the invitation extended to China and Russia, who they believe are part of the new "Axis of Evil," as described by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. They argue that allowing America's adversaries insider access to military sites and information about U.S. nuclear capabilities is deeply alarming and fundamentally absurd.

The letter from the Republicans calls on the Biden administration to explain why Chinese and Russian officials were invited to access sensitive U.S. labs and testing facilities. The House Republicans are resolved to confront the growing nuclear expansionist ambitions of China, Russia, and Iran, in order to safeguard America's national security.

The Energy Secretary's response to the concerns raised by the House Republicans and the potential revocation of the invitation remain to be seen. As the debate over U.S. nuclear policy and national security intensifies, it is clear that the issue of foreign adversaries accessing sensitive U.S. nuclear testing sites has become a significant point of contention.