Texas lawmaker says state should get to shoot down spy balloons

Texas Capitol
Photo credit JHVEPhoto/gettyImages

A Texas lawmaker introduces a House continuing resolution that would allow the state military to shoot down spy aircraft over Texas.

State representative Cody Harris of Palestine says it's in response to that Chinese spy balloon that flew over the US from Jan. 28 - Feb. 4. It was shot down by a U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jet off the South Carolina coast last Sunday.

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Harris says the resolution means "if the Chinese send another spy balloon and they send it over the state of Texas, the governor has every authority he needs to shoot it down with a Texas plane."

Harris says "the citizens of Texas are getting sick and tired of Washington, DC dragging their feet and President Biden dragging his feet while a state like the Communist Chinese Party is sending over a balloon to look at our missile silos in Montana.  We've got military installations all over the State of Texas.  The F-35 fighter jets are made in Fort Worth.  We've got secrets that we don't need them trying to capture."

He also says these balloons are able to capture much more detailed imaging than satellites.

Harris said the Texas military has its own fighter jets and squadrons that could take such a craft out. He says those opposed have noted shooting down a balloon could lead to injuries and lawsuits, but says that's a small price to pay for "invading the sovereign airspace of Texas."

Featured Image Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto/gettyImages