Condemning the Chinese Communist Party's Use of A High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon Over United States Territory As A Brazen Violation of United States Sovereignty
Floor Speech
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Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 104, a resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Party's use of a high- altitude surveillance balloon over United States territory as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas.
I would never have imagined that my Saturday afternoon would have been disrupted due to a Chinese spy balloon. Not only did it float across most of South Carolina, it floated across the entire Continental United States, and ended up over my district and, out of all places in this country, the balloon was shot down right off the coast of my hometown, Surfside Beach, which I represent.
And yes, it does--if you watched it and if you were there on the ground--sound like it was straight out of a sci-fi movie.
There is no question that the response or, rather, lack of response from this administration, in my opinion, was negligent.
More than 19 million people annually visit our area to enjoy our beautiful beaches and southern hospitality along more than 60 miles of coast that is known as the Grand Strand.
Myrtle Beach is known for many things, Mr. Speaker, but part of that equation has never been an international incident taking place right off of our shores.
The Chinese Communist Party last Friday, February 3, said that this was merely a weather balloon gathering meteorological data that got lost in our country. It is comical to me that they would actually think that we would fall for such a bogus claim.
Let me be clear: This was a blatant violation of American sovereignty as part of the comprehensive surveillance program on the United States as well as other countries across the globe.
This was a test by the Chinese Communist Party, and it saddens me to say that I think this administration failed that test.
This is the United States. Our foreign policy has always been built on peace through strength. This is our wake-up call. It is time for President Biden to step up on the world stage and take a page from one of my favorite Presidents, Teddy Roosevelt: Speak softly and carry a big stick. While diplomacy should always be our first objective, we must be prepared to respond with strength when necessary.
This resolution shows that the U.S. House of Representatives, in a bipartisan fashion, condemns the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to deceive the international community with their false claims of intelligence collection. I call on this administration to promptly and decisively act to further prevent surveillance attempts in the future.
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