[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2023

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, This was no weather balloon. This was a 
spy balloon.
  Let me be very clear: Members of both sides of the aisle, Democrats 
and Republicans, are standing before the American people and 
recognizing that this resolution of the Chinese Communist Party's 
actions is appropriate, and we should, as Americans, denounce their 
actions.
  Let me be very clear as well: I want to congratulate the United 
States military intelligence officials and others who effectively took 
the Commander in Chief's order that occurred on February 1st to shoot 
it down.
  They handled themselves with the greatest amount of appropriateness 
to ensure that the American people were safe, to contain the threat, 
and do their job.
  It serves no purpose to suggest that the Commander in Chief, 
President Joe Biden, failed the American people or did anything wrong.
  Interestingly enough, in the midst of the spy balloon, over 70 
percent of the American people believe that Joe Biden took to the 
podium in the State of the Union and gave them enough comfort that the 
State of the Union is well, our souls are strong, and the American 
people are strong.
  Yes, as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am keenly 
aware and concerned about the Nation's national security, keenly aware 
of the timeframe in which this spy balloon came into our eyesight.
  With that in mind, even as it traversed the United States, I can 
assure you, in spite of the chronicling of the facts here, that General 
Austin, the Department of Defense, and others that were responsible for 
our safety, pursuant to the direction of the Commander in Chief, 
followed this spy balloon and were able to handle it appropriately in 
the course of shooting it down.
  Finally, let me say: it is important that we use this as a 
condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party.
  Let us not use this to intimidate Chinese Americans or to be able to 
create atmospheres of hate. I denounce that, and I denounce SB 147 in 
the State of Texas that wants to stop Chinese Americans from buying 
property. That is not the American way.
  What is the American way is to stand as Democrats and Republicans and 
Members of Congress to take our full responsibility, alongside the 
executive, to ensure national security. We have done that.
  We have the facts, we know the traversing, and I can assure you that 
the Chinese Americans have not engaged themselves in this activity and 
should not be condemned.
  The Chinese Communist Party is aware of the strength of the people of 
the United States and their defense.

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