On Politics

Thu Feb 9 2023

Hey there, OnPolitics readers! The State Department today offered the first proof that the Chinese spy balloon was on an espionage mission, USA TODAY's Tom Vanden Brook, Josh Meyer and Kevin Johnson report.

🎈 Inside the balloon, about the size of a regional jetliner, investigators found "multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications," according to the spokesperson.

🎈 Why people are upset: In case you missed it, the balloon was shot down after it floated off the coast of South Carolina. The Pentagon said this was to avoid death or property damage.

But in waiting, the balloon passed over -- and could have spied on -- the most sensitive strategic sites in the continental United States. That includes nuclear missile silos and military bases.

🕵️ Keep reading about what they found in the balloon.

What else is going on in Washington?

From our daily live blog, updates for the political news enthusiast.

•	A Democrat launched an effort to kick Rep. George Santos out of office.
•	Investigations into the Biden family by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee continue.
•	A Minnesota congresswoman was attacked in her apartment building elevator.