A new legislative proposal is gaining bipartisan support as whistleblower claims about the government withholding information on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) have captured public attention. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) plans to introduce the legislation as an amendment to the defense policy bill, and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has expressed support for the idea. There is also expected to be support from the House of Representatives. The legislation aims to establish a commission that will have the authority to compel government agencies to declassify undisclosed information about extraterrestrials or unidentified phenomena.
The commission, as proposed by Senator Schumer, would set a 300-day deadline for government agencies to declassify relevant information. The results of the disclosure will be presented to a nine-member review board. These nine members will be selected by President Joe Biden and approved by the Senate. The main goal of the commission and its members will be to ensure transparency and protect sensitive intelligence information.
Additionally, Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) has introduced a separate but narrower measure. This measure requires the Secretary of Defense to declassify any Department of Defense documents or records on publicly known UAP sightings within 180 days of the enactment of the Act. In an interview on a space science podcast, Rep. Burchett shared that he has seen compelling evidence of unidentified phenomena that has not been released to the public.
The push for disclosure and transparency regarding UAP is not new. Senator Rubio has been advocating for greater transparency on the government’s involvement in extraterrestrial phenomena for some time. Last month, he revealed that he had been approached by several whistleblowers with “high clearances” who claimed to have firsthand knowledge of UAP programs. These whistleblowers expressed fear about sharing their information due to potential harm or negative repercussions.
In a recent development, former Department of Defense intelligence officer David Grusch has come forward as a whistleblower, claiming that the DOD has covert programs for retrieving non-human-origin craft. Mr. Grusch has provided classified information about these programs to Congress and the Intelligence Community Inspector General. He alleges that he has faced illegal retaliation for his disclosure.
It is worth noting that there have been previous instances of UAP sightings and disclosures by the Pentagon. In 2022, Pentagon officials showcased two videos of UAP during an open congressional hearing. One video showed a white spherical object flying past a U.S. Navy aircraft, while the other captured a triangular-shaped object emitting light. In 2015, the Department of Defense declassified footage of UAP sightings by pilots, highlighting the high speeds at which these objects moved.
Overall, the new legislation and the broader push for disclosure and transparency are significant steps toward unveiling more information about unidentified phenomena. By establishing a commission and setting deadlines for declassification, policymakers aim to address the longstanding secrecy surrounding UAP. It remains to be seen how these efforts will unfold and what revelations may come to light as a result.
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