Jim Himes: "Congress isn't investigating" incursions over sensitive military sites

Who?Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) — Ranking Democrat, House Intelligence CommitteeLISTEN: Laslo & HimesAsk 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?”If you support original UAP journalism in Washington, please let us know by subscribing today! 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 HimesSCENE: 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.Buy our interns a brew this weekend! They put up with Laslo. They can use all the liquid love you got!Consider chipping in to support our independent journalism — Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy our interns a beer! Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. & founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.Ask a Pol — asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol.  Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoluaps.com/subscribe