Image: U.S. Senate
Senator Chuck Schumer of New York is spearheading a legislative effort to establish a commission tasked with declassifying government documents related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and extraterrestrial matters. The proposed legislation aims to dispel conspiracy theories and address concerns that critical information is being withheld from the public. Senator Schumer plans to introduce the amendment to the annual defense policy bill with bipartisan support, including from Senator Mike Rounds and Senator Marco Rubio, who have previously championed similar initiatives. The Senate measure would set a 300-day deadline for government agencies to organize and provide their records on unidentified phenomena to a nine-person review board appointed by President Biden. While government officials have denied possessing evidence of alien visitation or crashed alien spacecraft, the legislation seeks to force disclosure while also protecting sensitive intelligence collection methods.
The interest in UFOs has surged following the release of videos recorded by military sensors, showcasing unexplained aerial phenomena. While some of the incidents have been attributed to optical illusions or drones, others remain enigmatic, fueling speculation and prompting congressional pressure for transparency. The Pentagon and intelligence agencies have collected numerous reports of unexplained incidents, often identified as airborne debris, Chinese surveillance, or weather balloons. However, recent undisclosed work by the Pentagon and reluctance by some agencies to share information have frustrated lawmakers from both parties. Modeled after the commission that oversaw the release of documents related to John F. Kennedy's assassination, the proposed legislation would establish a process for declassifying UFO-related material and establish a presumption that such material should be made public. While the president could delay the release of certain documents due to national security concerns, the measure seeks to set a timetable for disclosure and potentially shed light on the government's study of unknown materials.
Bipartisan Measure Aims to Force Release of U.F.O. Records
Legislation backed by Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, would create a review board to declassify documents related to unidentified aerial phenomena across the government.
