Leading the charge was Sen. John Kennedy, who pointed out some of the misconceptions many Americans likely have about the situation.
"Many people, intentionally or otherwise, have been given the impression that a couple weeks ago our skies were clear," Kennedy began, "and then all of a sudden we had spy balloons and other UFOs raining down on us like confetti. That is not accurate."
He went on to explain that such objects have been flying over the US for "many years," and that their existence was well known by officials, save for the Chinese spy balloons.
"What's different about the last two weeks," he added, "is that we've started shooting them down."
Sen. Tom Cotton was very direct when he spoke with reporters following the briefing.
"President Biden owes the American people an explanation," he said. "President Biden should speak, on camera, directly to the American people today."
Pointing out that even the Canadian prime minister delivered remarks to his citizens, Cotton said, "Surely we're not in a world where Justin Trudeau is a more decisive and forceful leader than the American president."
"Americans are worried, they're concerned, they're interested, and they have a right to know why President Biden directed the actions that he did over the last week."
Cotton's sentiments were shared by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who argued that the American people "need and deserve to know more."
"There is a lot of information presented to us this morning," he said, "that could be told to the American people without any harm to sources, methods, or national security."
During the briefing, which was announced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer earlier this month, the Department of Defense discussed "how the US military stacks up against China and the latest about the surveillance balloon."
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