Review - H Res 104 Passed in House – Condemning Chinese Balloon Incursion

Yesterday, belying fears that Congress could not act in a bipartisan manner, the House took up H Res 104, Condemning the Chinese Communist Party's use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over United States territory as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty, under suspension of the rules and passed it by a strongly bipartisan vote of 419 to 0. The resolution was introduced by Rep. McCaul (R,TX), the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. No further actions will be taken on this Resolution, neither Senate nor Presidential action is required.

Commentary

As a practical matter, House Resolutions, do not have much effect beyond providing public notice of the sense of the House. A resolution that passes in a unanimous vote, does have more than just symbolic value. It warns the President, and in this case China, that House is very interested in this matter.

 

For more details on the provisions of the Resolution, including a look at the internal House political considerations, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/h-res-104-passed-in-house - subscription required.