In recent years, the United States Congress has increasingly emphasized the importance of researching Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs. This shift reflects growing concerns over national security, air safety, and scientific curiosity.
Legislative Initiatives
In July 2023, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023. Modeled after the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, this legislation mandates that government records related to UAPs carry a presumption of disclosure, aiming to declassify and make these records publicly accessible. “The United States government has gathered a great deal of information about UAPs, over many decades, but has refused to share it with the American people. We don’t know what it is, but it’s something. We have also been notified by multiple credible sources that information on UAPs has also been withheld from Congress, which if true is a violation of laws requiring full notification to the legislative branch – especially as it relates to the four congressional leaders, the defense committees, and the intelligence committee.” Chuck Schumer.
Congressional Hearings and Statements
On November 13, 2024, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee held a hearing titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth.” During this session, former Department of Defense official Luis Elizondo testified, stating, “UAP are real. Advanced technologies not made by our government or any other government are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe.” He emphasized the need for transparency and further investigation into these phenomena.
Similarly, in a Senate hearing, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) highlighted the importance of addressing the stigma associated with UAP research. She remarked, “But because of the ‘UFO’ stigma, the response has been irresponsibly anemic and slow. Congress established AARO. We made clear that we expected vigorous action.”
Bipartisan Support
The push for UAP research has garnered bipartisan support. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has expressed concerns about unidentified objects in U.S. airspace, stating, “There’s stuff flying in our airspace and we don’t know who it is and it’s not ours. So we should know who it is, especially if it’s an adversary that’s made a technological leap.”
Conclusion
The collective efforts of U.S. lawmakers underscore a commitment to understanding UAPs through increased research, transparency, and legislative action. This approach aims to address potential national security concerns and satisfy public interest in these unexplained phenomena.
Recent Developments in UAP Research and Congressional Hearings
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