Senators demand classified briefing on El Paso airspace closure

• But the administration's official line, from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is that the closure happened after the FAA and the Defense Department "acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion."

What they are saying: "The details of what exactly occurred over El Paso are unclear," said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

• "I don't know them at this point, which is why I'm requesting a classified briefing to get further details," he said.
• "There needs to be a briefing in the SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) if they're not willing to talk to us in here and explain to the American people what's going on, why one federal agency can't talk to another federal agency," said Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).
• They need to "explain whether it's a training mission or it's an incursion, or whatever the hell is going on." Lujan said.

Between the lines: Two Democratic senators, Luján and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), said that Bedford acknowledged the need for better communication.

• "He said what Secretary Duffy tweeted was correct and that they probably could have done it better with communication and coordination," Duckworth told reporters.