Press Releases

Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) Introduces the Chinese Spy Balloon Assessment Act

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) introduced the Chinese Spy Balloon Assessment Act. This legislation would require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the intelligence collection capabilities of the Chinese surveillance balloon and its impacts on U.S. national security.

On January 28, 2023, a high-altitude surveillance balloon controlled by the People’s Republic of China entered United States airspace and traveled across the country before being shot down off the coast of Congressman Fry’s district, in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, on February 4, 2023. The American people deserve to know the truth behind the device that perpetrated China’s blatant attempt at espionage.

The Chinese Spy Balloon Assessment Act would require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress on the national security impacts of the Chinese surveillance balloon, including:

• a description of the balloon’s surveillance on U.S. military installations; and 
• an analysis of the technology and materials recovered from the surveillance balloon. 

“The Biden administration sat on their hands and let this spy balloon freely fly across the country before shooting it down off the coast of my hometown of Surfside Beach — putting our country’s national security at risk and projecting weakness on the world stage,” said Congressman Russell Fry. “Almost a year later, we still don’t know the consequences of this administration’s lack of action. This legislation will provide Congress and the American people with answers on the effects this spy balloon had on our country’s national security.” 

“Accountability matters,” said Lt. General (Ret.) Keith Kellogg Former National Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, Co-Chair of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute. “Unfortunately, this Administration has not held up to that standard and has left the American people confused, angry, and concerned regarding our national security at home and abroad. Our Nation’s security today faces more global threats from various enemies than it has faced in several decades, and they need to be addressed promptly and decisively. Congressman Fry rightly holds the Secretary of Defense accountable for providing a report detailing the failures and after-action steps regarding the massive intelligence failure surrounding the “China Spy Balloon” debacle earlier this year. Congress should swiftly move this bill forward. South Carolinians and families across America deserve answers.” 

"The people of South Carolina and all Americans deserve full transparency from the Biden Administration regarding the events surrounding the Chinese spy balloon," said Governor Henry McMaster. "I applaud Congressman Fry's efforts to hold the Biden Administration accountable and ensure the American people are informed about the implications and intelligence gathered by the Chinese government within U.S. airspace."

This bill is cosponsored by Reps. Biggs (R-AZ), Donalds (R-FL), Duncan (R-SC), Hageman (R-WY), Higgins (R-LA), Hinson (R-IA), Langworthy (R-NY), Moylan (R-GU), Norman (R-SC), Rose (R-TN), Timmons (R-SC), Weber (R-TX), Webster (R-FL), Wilson (R-SC). 

Congressman Fry serves on both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight Committee and is also the Republican freshman class president. To stay up to date with Congressman Fry and his work for the Seventh District, follow his official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages and visit his website at fry.house.gov.

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