Who?
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) — Ranking Democrat, House Intelligence Committee
LISTEN: Laslo & Himes
Ask a Pol asks:
We know UAPs aren't really on your radar, but how much are UASs — unmanned aerial (or aircraft) systems — on your radar? We’re hearing lots of US senators complaining about a persistent problem of unmanned — and unknown — craft flying over sensitive US military and nuclear sites.
Key Himes:
“What’s a UAS?” Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, asks. “Wait, we're not talking about extraterrestrial stuff here?”
Key Himes:
“Congress isn't investigating. It's a security risk, right? It's a tactical security risk, right?” Rep. Himes exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “I mean, it's just so easy for somebody to go to Walmart, buy a drone and fly it over a sensitive facility. So it's a real issue, but I'm not sure it's…”
Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), slightly edited for clarity.
TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Jim Himes
SCENE: After voting to advance the Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and TikTok package last week, Rep. Jim Himes — the top Democrat on the House Intel Committee — stopped to answer questions from a gaggle of reporters just off the House floor.
Once Himes finished the impromptu scrum, Ask a Pol interviewed him as he was descending the steps of the US Capitol…
Matt Laslo: “Hey, I was curious — I know UAPs aren't really on your radar…”
Rep. Himes laughs.
ML: “…but how much are UASs? Because we're hearing from a lot of senators. [Sen. Tim] Kaine complaining about it over Langley. [Senate Intel Chair] Mark Warner just brought it up too...”
Jim Himes: “What's a UAS?”
ML: “Unmanned aerial systems.”
JH: “Systems?”
ML: “Yeah, I mean they — [Sen.] Mark Kelly said it’s drones that were...”
JH: “Wait, we're not talking about extraterrestrial stuff here?”
ML: “UAS — no, no, no.”
JH: “Oh, okay. I'm sorry, I thought you said ‘UAPs.’”
ML: “I said, ‘I know you guys aren't investigating that,’ but we're hearing complaints of a persistent problem of the invasion of US airspace above sensitive military and nuclear sites. A lot of senators are bringing this up regularly to Joint Chiefs of Staff, etc.”
ICYMI — Ask a Pol’s exclusive w/ Sen. Gillibrand
JH: “Yeah, it's always a risk. Yeah, yeah.”
Another reporter approaches Himes.
JH: “Hey there.”
Himes turns back to Ask a Pol.
JH: “I’m just a back bencher.”
ML: “But how much are you investigating that or?”
JH: “Congress isn't investigating. It's a security risk, right? It's a tactical security risk, right? I mean, it's just so easy for somebody to go to Walmart, buy a drone and fly it over a sensitive facility. So it's a real issue, but I'm not sure it's, you know, gonna...”
ML: “Well, you have US senators now saying they fear this is foreign nations above US military and nuclear sites.”
JH: “I haven't seen that, so I can't — I mean, I guess it's theoretically possible, but...”
ML: “Tim Kaine brought it up to Joint Chiefs...”
JH: “Again, I haven't seen it, so I can't really comment on that.”
ML: “Preciate ya.”
Reporter: “Congressman, do you think Speaker Johnson is going to keep his job?”
Rep. Himes chuckles.
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