A group of bipartisan senators introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act last week, aiming to force government disclosure of unidentified anomalous phenomena records, which includes alien life forms and unidentified flying objects.
The proposed legislation, titled the “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023,” seeks to preserve and centralize all federal government records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena, ultimately enabling public access to comprehensive information on the subject.
Led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, the amendment has support from Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, (D-N.Y.), Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).
The amendment is a step toward increasing transparency and accountability surrounding unidentified anomalous phenomena, also commonly referred to as unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).
Sen. Rubio has made this a priority for years. In 2021, when he was vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, he spearheaded a similar measure with Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Ruben Gallego, (D-Ariz.)
“UAPs pose a significant challenge to our national security, appearing in sensitive U.S. airspace and around military personnel. The amendment would establish an office that would replace the current Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force and would have access to Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community data related to UAPs,” Rubio’s office said in 2021. “By doing so, the office will have the authority to establish a coordinated effort to report and respond to UAPs, significantly improve data-sharing between agencies on UAP sightings, address national security concerns, and report health effects people may experience in relation to UAP events.
The revived proposed amendment now has Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as the key sponsor, as Rubio is in the Republican minority. Having the leader in the Senate as the key sponsor bodes well for the amendment.
It begins by emphasizing the importance of preserving and centralizing all federal government records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena. These records should carry a presumption of immediate disclosure and eventually be made available to the public to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the government’s knowledge and involvement in such phenomena.
The amendment highlights the necessity for legislation to create an enforceable, independent, and accountable process for the public disclosure of UAP records.Existing provisions, such as the Freedom of Information Act, have proven inadequate in achieving timely disclosure of records.
The legislation acknowledges the existence of unidentified anomalous phenomena records that have not been declassified or subjected to mandatory declassification review due to exemptions under existing provisions of law. It emphasizes the need to restore proper oversight over these records by elected officials in both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.
Among the key provisions of the proposed legislation is the establishment of the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection at the National Archives and Records Administration. This collection would serve as a centralized repository for all records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena.
The amendment also calls for creation of an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Review Board. This board would be responsible for overseeing the collection, review, and release of the records, working in collaboration with relevant government offices and agencies.
Proponents like Rubio argue that increased transparency surrounding unidentified anomalous phenomena is essential for scientific research, national security, and public interest. Critics may express concerns about potential national security implications and the credibility of unidentified phenomena reports.
The introduction of the “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023” underscores the growing interest and recognition of unidentified aerial phenomena and the need for a comprehensive approach to studying and disclosing these phenomena, especially after the U.S. military shot down an unidentified flying object over the Arctic Ocean, and has yet to describe what it was or provide the public with any photographic evidence of the object.
The 64-page amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act is at this link.
