White House To Host Senate Briefing On North Korea Threat
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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) - The White House will host a rare briefing with the entire U.S. Senate on Wednesday to discuss nuclear threats posed by North Korea.
As an American submarine arrived in a South Korean port on Tuesday, North Korea marked the 85th birthday of its Army with a massive military display and roses for its founder. State television blamed American threats for the increased tensions between the two nations and promised to "take the breath of the US away with an almighty nuclear force."
A White House briefing in an unsecured auditorium is rare. Senators typically meet with briefers in a secure room in the basement of the U.S. Capitol.
So why the change of venue.
"I don't know. But since this is the first time that the President has invited the entire Senate over I think we should go and see what he has to say," said Connecticut Senator Chris Coons.
He added that he's anxious to hear how the administration plans to deal with the threats.
"I am hoping to hear a clearer strategy about where we are going, something beyond saber rattling," he said.
Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said the White House setting sends an important message.
"I think going to the Commander in Chief's house is the right place for Congress to be and I hope the world is watching that we are going to his house and we are going to listen to his concerns," said Graham.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will head to the United Nations on Friday to discuss sanctions and look for help from China and Russia. But those two countries are upset over this America's THAAD missile defense system, installed--in a surprise announcement Wednesday- in South Korea. China and Russia dislike the powerful radar so close to their borders.