Congressional Budget Office Hacked by Foreign Actor: Urgent Update

URGENT UPDATE: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has confirmed it was hacked by a foreign actor in a serious security incident that could have exposed critical financial data used by Congress to craft legislation. The breach was reported earlier today, with officials discovering the intrusion in recent days, raising alarms about the potential compromise of communications between lawmakers and nonpartisan researchers.

According to The Washington Post, the incursion may have granted adversaries access to sensitive internal email and office chat logs, heightening concerns over national security and the integrity of legislative processes. The CBO, which serves as a key financial consultant for Congress, is now facing intense scrutiny as it investigates the full scope of the breach.

CBO spokeswoman Caitlin Emma stated, “The Congressional Budget Office has identified the security incident, has taken immediate action to contain it, and has implemented additional monitoring and new security controls to further protect the agency’s systems going forward.” She assured that the agency’s work for Congress continues despite the incident.

This alarming breach underscores the growing threats that government agencies face from cyberattacks, echoing similar incidents across both public and private sectors. As investigations continue, stakeholders are urged to remain vigilant about the cybersecurity landscape.

Lawmakers and the public alike are now left to wonder what long-term implications this breach could have on legislative operations and the protection of sensitive data. The CBO is committed to transparency during this investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

What happens next? The CBO has initiated a comprehensive review, and experts are monitoring the situation closely. Stakeholders are advised to stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.