House of Representatives Condemns China on Balloon Surveillance Vote
The House took a stand against China on Thursday, voting unanimously to denounce their balloon surveillance operation as a “brazen violation” of U.S. sovereignty. This swift, bipartisan rebuke of Beijing is a rare sight in these times and comes as questions continue to swirl around the U.S. claim that the craft was part of a large aerial spy operation.
In a rare display of unity, lawmakers who were eagerly seeking details about the balloon were briefed by U.S. officials in a top-secret session. Meanwhile, the Senate held a hearing to discuss the balloon taken down by the U.S. military over the weekend.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, said that this resolution “sends a clear bipartisan signal to the CCP and our adversaries around the world that this action will not be tolerated”
In a time of deep division in Congress, the shared concern over China’s sneaky balloon surveillance program and the extent of Beijing’s global military and economic power provided a rare opportunity for bipartisanship to come together. The four-page resolution came together at lightning speed, bridging initial partisan gaps.
Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the lead Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel, declared that China must come clean about its surveillance operations. “The burden is on Beijing to prove to not just the U.S. but the entire world that they’re committed to adhering to international laws and regulations,” he stated.
The balloon journeyed from Alaska to the Atlantic Coast, but the U.S. only took action by shooting it down when it was over the Atlantic near South Carolina. This move sparked a mix of criticism, outrage, and inquiries from both sides of the aisle, some of which were directed toward President Biden for not intervening sooner. However, the House, led by the GOP, temporarily set aside any criticism of Biden and instead focused on the People’s Republic of China.
The resolution passed by the House serves as a statement of concern, although it does not hold legal weight, as Congress continues to investigate the balloon and China’s surveillance activities.
Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who presided over a Senate subcommittee hearing on Thursday regarding the balloon, expressed earlier this week that he wanted to know the exact route it took, especially in Montana, where he’s familiar with the missile silos. He also questioned its ability to hover.
Lawmakers have been analyzing these questions since the balloon caught America’s attention last week and refocused its attention on China.
Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Harry Harris testified stated that “there are very few bipartisan issues in Washington these days, but our national concern about the PRC is one of them”
Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, declared during Tuesday’s hearing, “Make no mistake, that balloon was intentionally launched as a calculated show of force. We have to stop being naïve about the threat we face from China.”
