GOP Sen. Rubio: Intel Oversight Faces 'Historic Crisis

Lamenting the use of classified information from intelligence briefings to be criminally leaked to "employ it as a political weapon," Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said Congressional oversight of intelligence faces an "historic crisis."

"Divulging access to classified information in order to employ it as a political weapon is not only an abuse, it is a serious federal crime with potentially severe consequences on our national security," acting Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Rubio wrote in a statement after Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe had informed Congress he would scale back intelligence briefings to provide a written brief so classified information "is not misunderstood nor politicized."

"This situation we now face is due, in no small part, to the willingness of some to commit federal crimes for the purpose of advancing their electoral aims."

Rubio's statement outlined National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina public statements on election security threats leading to political smears.

"Congressional oversight of intelligence activities now faces a historic crisis," Rubio's statement began. "Intelligence agencies have a legal obligation to keep Congress informed of their activities.

"And members of Congress have a legal obligation to not divulge classified information. In my short time as acting chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I have witnessed firsthand how this delicate balance has been destroyed."

Rubio was assured the Senate Intelligence Committee will still be given briefings, despite Ratcliffe's announcement Saturday.

"Yet, this grotesque criminal misconduct does not release the intelligence community from fulfilling its legal requirements to respond to Congressional oversight committees and to keep members of Congress fully informed of relevant information on a timely basis," Rubio's statement continued.

"I have spoken to the Director Ratcliffe who stated unequivocally that he will continue to fulfill these obligations. In particular, he made explicitly clear that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will continue receiving briefings on all oversight topics, including election matters."

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