Senators Call for Release of US Government UFO Records
In a bipartisan effort, Senators Chuck Schumer and Mike Rounds are leading an initiative to push for the release of records relating to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs. The proposed measure seeks to shed light on decades of mysterious sightings that have captivated the public’s imagination.
The amendment, which Schumer and Rounds plan to propose as part of a broader defense funding legislation, aims to authorize the collection and disclosure of UAP records held by various government offices. It draws inspiration from a 1992 law that established guidelines for the handling of cases related to the assassination of President John Kennedy.
Citing the public’s right to information, Schumer expressed his support for the initiative, stating, For decades, many Americans have been fascinated by mysterious and unexplained objects, and it’s high time they got some answers. The proposed amendment would mandate the release of documents, subject to a review board’s justification for keeping them classified.
Under this measure, UAP records would be made available to the public within 25 years of their creation, unless the President deems a delay necessary for national security reasons. Additionally, the proposal grants the federal government authority over any recovered technology of unknown origin and any evidence of non-human intelligence.
This effort follows in the footsteps of the late Senator Harry Reid, who initially championed the cause during his tenure as Senate Majority Leader. While the US government has historically dismissed UFO sightings, it has become increasingly open in recent years. In 2021, it released an unclassified report cataloging sightings, predominantly from US Navy personnel, dating back to 2004.
The Pentagon has investigated numerous unexplained sightings reported by military aviators, and NASA established a special group to review UAPs. However, the NASA panel highlighted limitations due to the lack of high-quality data and the stigma associated with unidentified aerial phenomena, often attributed to atmospheric causes or debris.
The proposed measure by Schumer and Rounds seeks to address these gaps and provide the public with a greater understanding of anomalous phenomena. If passed, it would remove long-standing barriers to disclosure and bring much-needed transparency to the subject.
As discussions continue in Congress, it remains to be seen how the proposed amendment will fare and whether it will provide answers to the questions that have intrigued Americans for decades. Regardless of the outcome, this bipartisan effort reflects a growing recognition of the need for greater transparency and exploration of the unknown.