Lawmakers also seek more information about balloon’s entry into U.S. airspace, how decision was made to shoot it down
By Eric Bazail-Eimil and Lindsay Wise
Updated Feb. 9, 2023 12:46 pm ET
WASHINGTON—The House passed a resolution Thursday condemning China for its “brazen violation of United States sovereignty” and seeking more information from the White House, the latest development in the spy balloon saga that has gripped Washington since late last week.
The resolution passed 419-0.
Photos: Navy Starts to Retrieve Debris From Suspected China Spy Balloon
The resolution—introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R., Texas), the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee—was the result of negotiations within the Republican caucus over how best to respond to the spy balloon and how to craft a bill that could bring Democrats on board.
The vote was held as the administration revealed more details about the balloon. A senior State Department official said Thursday that the balloon was outfitted with antennas capable of collecting communications, adding that the Biden administration is preparing to take action against China’s surveillance program.
U.S. jet fighters downed the balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, U.S. officials said. President Biden signaled earlier Saturday that the U.S. would address the balloon that had drifted above the country. Photo: Randall Hill/Reuters
Some Republicans had pushed for a vote that would have condemned President Biden’s handling of the incident. After lobbying from more moderate members, who felt uneasy about attacking Mr. Biden amid continuing uncertainty about the incident, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) made clear that any resolution would avoid condemning the president.
The administration has said it had waited until the balloon was over open water before downing it Saturday, to avoid potential damage or injuries from debris, while playing down the value of the intelligence China was gathering from the balloon as it remained aloft. Officials also said that the delay in shooting down the balloon allowed the U.S. more time to study the craft.
Thursday’s measure also calls on the Biden administration to provide additional briefings to members of Congress and clarify details surrounding the balloon’s entry into U.S. airspace—and the decision-making process around downing the balloon, reflecting bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill over a perceived lack of transparency from the White House.
Speaking on the House floor, Mr. McCaul hailed the bill as a needed message to the Chinese government.
The incident “cannot go unanswered,” he said. Beijing only understands “one thing and that is force and that’s projecting power and we need to project power and force and strength against the Chinese Communist Party.”
Some Republicans also continued to criticize the delay in shooting down the balloon and the disclosures about the decision.
“If this administration can’t figure a balloon out, then how can we figure out Taiwan?” said Rep. Ryan Zinke (R., Mont.).
Many Democrats backed the resolution, citing the need to hold Beijing accountable for its actions and claims about the balloon they characterize as deceptive. China has said the balloon was a civilian craft conducting meteorological research and has condemned the U.S. for shooting it down.
“We all know that…it was a [Chinese] surveillance balloon, full stop,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D., N.Y.), the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Beijing needs to own up to it.”
China policy has been an anticipated area of bipartisan policy work in the divided Congress. Last month, over 100 Democrats joined House Republicans to vote to create a new select committee on competition with China. Many Senate Democrats have voiced their desire for greater transparency from the White House and a more forceful approach to China.
Heading into a briefing Thursday about the balloon, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) said he expects there will be bipartisan support for Congress to take stronger actions beyond resolutions.
“Resolutions are fine, but what we really need is a whole of government approach to countering this kind of surveillance and spying, which is very, very deeply alarming,” he said.
Write to Eric Bazail-Eimil at eric.bazaileimil@wsj.com and Lindsay Wise at lindsay.wise@wsj.com
https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-votes-419-0-to-pass-resolution-condemning-china-for-spy-balloon-11675960364
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