By Rabia Iclal
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a nonpartisan agency that provides lawmakers with key financial analyses, was hacked by a suspected foreign actor, potentially exposing sensitive economic data used to shape legislation, according to a report Thursday
The Washington Post, citing four people familiar with the matter, said officials discovered the breach in recent days and now fear that communications between congressional offices and CBO researchers, as well as internal emails and chat logs, may have been accessed.
Sources told the paper that some congressional offices have stopped corresponding with the agency via email due to cybersecurity risks.
CBO officials reportedly told lawmakers they believe the intrusion was detected early.
The agency, whose work provides independent cost estimates for every major bill, has furloughed much of its staff amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The CBO did not immediately comment on the report.