So we knew what they were looking for?

If we waited to shoot this one down over water why didn't we shoot the last ones down over water?

I put a lot of faith into the Military leadership.

I put a lot of faith into the Military leadership.

Senator, thank you for being here, I look forward to working with you.

That scares the hell out of me.

the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 118th Congress. Pursuant to rules XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, on behalf of myself and Ranking Member Moran, I ask unanimous…

We don't understand because, quite frankly, we have been briefed in this committee over, and over, and over again about the risk that China poses, both economically and militarily.

We have been hearing a lot of discussions about the mining law of 1872, and that is the only thing that groups act like that we are relying upon in order to authorize, permit, and open a mining facility.

I don't know why we would continue to allow them to take on all these activities, as we see on the posters behind us, and not take over some of this production ourselves.

We don't understand because, quite frankly, we have been briefed in this committee over, and over, and over again about the risk that China poses, both economically and militarily.

Everyone on this Committee is extremely interested in protecting our land, air, and water quality across the nation and, quite frankly, around the world.

That scares the hell out of me.

Did we know what the Chinese were trying to collect with that balloon?

It should not have been a surprise that China did this because nothing happened before, at least to our knowledge, nothing has happened before to them for these over flights.

Thank you, Senator Collins. One of the things that was brought up, and then I am probably going to wrap it up, unless you have more, Susan Collins, is that you spoke about communications, Mr. Royal, with China.

A violation of airspace is a violation of airspace, and to know absolutely that this was of no military threat to us.

We are holding this briefing today because American public deserves to hear from the Department of Defense, not play politics with the National Security.