Republicans blast Biden, saying suspected Chinese spy balloon proves U.S. isn't deterring Xi
Top Republicans in Congress are criticizing the Biden administration's response to the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon hovering over the U.S.
WASHINGTON — Top Republicans in Congress are demanding answers from the Biden administration over the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been hovering over the northern U.S. over the past few days.
They lashed out directly at President Joe Biden, arguing that the incident demonstrates that U.S. posture and policies are not deterring China. Many prominent Republicans also said the U.S. should have shot down the balloon.
Staff members for the “Gang of Eight” bipartisan group of leaders on the Hill were given a classified briefing Thursday afternoon on the balloon, three sources familiar with the situation told NBC News on Friday. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, one of the eight lawmakers, tweeted late Thursday that he was requesting a meeting for the group but it’s likely most members of leadership had already left Washington for the weekend.
"China’s brazen disregard for U.S. sovereignty is a destabilizing action that must be addressed, and President Biden cannot be silent," McCarthy tweeted.
A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Biden administration would brief the eight next week. The New York Democrat is also a member of the Gang of Eight.
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