There are three possibilities (wild speculation alert):

1) A really big photo-reconnasiance satellite like KH-12 or better
2) A really big signal intelligence satellite
3) A really big synthetic aperature radar (SAR) satellite like Lacrosse or better

I don't think it's 1) because it's too mundane. I also don't think it's 2) because it's exactly what we need to fight Al Qaeda (no one would go public complaining about it). That leaves option 3). Big SARs are super expensive but can be justified because they have all weather capability.

A better guess might be there is one group pushing options 1) or 3) while another group is pushing 2). The group pushing 2) was losing the closed-room political battle (Lockheed-Martin paid the right/wrong lobbyists) so they're threatening to go public.

Larry J probably knows the answer but can't talk about it.

Gary