Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines expressed his outrage and concern in response to an NBC report revealing that the Chinese spy balloon had utilized an American internet service provider to communicate. Daines criticized the Biden administration for allowing the spy balloon to operate freely over American airspace without detection. He stated, "This is outrageous. First, the Biden Administration let the Chinese spy balloon float over America unabated, hoping the American people wouldn't notice, and now we find out it used American communications infrastructure as a basis for its operational capabilities. The Chinese Communist Party must love the Biden administration's feckless approach to foreign policy."

Daines emphasized the need for transparency and called on the administration to be forthcoming with the American people about the extent to which American-made equipment and services were exploited by China for espionage purposes. He asserted, "It is far past time the administration leveled with the American people about what and how much American-made equipment and services China used to spy on our country." Daines further pledged to continue advocating for Montana and demanded a comprehensive briefing on these matters. He emphasized that Congress must utilize all available means to hold the administration accountable.

As the first member of Congress to demand answers from the Biden administration regarding the Chinese spy balloon, Daines has been at the forefront of efforts to investigate and address this national security concern. He has been a leading voice in the Senate, tirelessly working to ensure accountability from the administration. For more information on Daines' ongoing work in investigating the Chinese spy balloon, please visit the provided link.

The revelation that the Chinese spy balloon exploited an American internet service provider to communicate underscores the urgent need for vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard national security. The reliance on American communications infrastructure by foreign entities for potentially malicious purposes raises serious concerns. The issue at hand highlights the imperative to strengthen cybersecurity protocols and enhance oversight to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.daines.senate.gov/2023/12/29/daines-statement-on-report-that-chinese-spy-balloon-used-american-internet-service-provider-to-communicate/