In May 2024, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Transparency Act, aiming to declassify all federal documents related to UAPs. Spearheaded by Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN), the legislation mandates that the President direct all federal agencies to make UAP-related records publicly available within 270 days of the Act’s enactment.
The Act requires the President to provide quarterly reports to the House of Representatives, detailing each agency’s progress in declassifying these records. Representative Burchett emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “This bill isn’t all about finding little green men or flying saucers; it’s about forcing the Pentagon and federal agencies to be transparent with the American people.”
The introduction of this legislation reflects a growing bipartisan effort to address public interest and concerns regarding UAPs. In July 2023, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, known as the UAP Disclosure Act of 2023. This amendment aims to declassify government records related to UAPs, drawing inspiration from the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992.
The UAP Transparency Act represents a significant step toward governmental openness on UAP-related matters. If enacted, it would establish a UAP Records Collection, centralizing all pertinent government documents for public access. This initiative seeks to enhance scientific research and public understanding of UAPs, addressing longstanding concerns about governmental secrecy on the subject.
