Republican Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is demanding an investigation into Democrat President Joe Biden’s “baffling” response to the Chinese surveillance balloon that’s currently floating over the United States.
Hawley told Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters in a letter that the committee must take immediate action.
As Slay News reported, the Pentagon has confirmed that the craft is a surveillance balloon and that it is maneuverable.
However, the U.S. military has yet to confirm whether it is being navigated by the Chinese Communist Party.
China claims that the balloon is a “civilian airship” that accidentally veered off course, by 5,000 miles, to Montana.
Meanwhile, a second balloon has been confirmed above Latin America, casting doubt on China’s denials.
Hawley said: “I write to request that you expeditiously convene a hearing on troubling reports that the Chinese government has launched a surveillance balloon over the United States to spy on our nuclear capabilities.
“As Members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), we have an obligation to obtain a full understanding of the surveillance that the Chinese government is currently conducting in gross violation of U.S. airspace and to understand the Biden Administration’s baffling response thus far.
“As confirmed today by the Pentagon, there is currently a Chinese surveillance balloon moving across the United States.
“It appears that the balloon is in the vicinity of U.S. military installations that host intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable bombers.
“The Chinese Communist Government claims this is merely a ‘civilian airship’ that has deviated from its course.
“But we know that is a lie.
“The Pentagon has confirmed that the balloon is ‘maneuverable’ and is currently somewhere over the center of the continental United States—in violation of U.S. airspace and international law.
“Pentagon spokesman U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the balloon is expected to continue to operate over U.S. airspace ‘for a few days.’
“Yet rather than shooting down or otherwise disabling this high-altitude balloon, the Biden Administration is merely ‘monitoring the situation’ and referring reporters to the Chinese government for answers.
“This is a gross violation of American sovereignty.
“China’s foray into America’s sovereign airspace is deeply disturbing and calls for an immediate investigation.
“This is a matter of homeland security, and we should hear from senior members of the Biden Administration to understand their response, or lack thereof, so far.
“The American people are demanding answers,” he wrote.
READ MORE: Trump Offers Simple Solution for Chinese Balloon: Shoot It Down
