This is a resolution that seeks to remove Lloyd Austin from his position as Secretary of Defense. The charge against him is that he failed to take action against a Chinese high-altitude balloon that traveled over North American airspace in late January and early February of 2023. Specifically, the resolution claims he should have either destroyed the balloon or prevented it from entering the airspace, and his failure to do so constitutes serious misconduct worthy of removal from office.

To be clear, this is about a specific incident involving a surveillance balloon. The resolution argues that Austin, as the head of the Department of Defense, had the responsibility and authority to stop this balloon but didn't act quickly enough or effectively enough. If this resolution were to pass both the House and Senate with the required supermajority votes, Austin would be removed from his cabinet position. This is a significant political action, as impeachment of cabinet officials is relatively rare and represents a formal accusation of serious wrongdoing by elected representatives.

Impeaching Lloyd James Austin III, Secretary of Defense, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Rosendale, Matthew M.

<html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p>This resolution impeaches Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for high crimes and misdemeanors for failure to demolish or obstruct a Chinese high-altitude balloon flying over North American airspace from January 28-February 4, 2023.</p></body></html>