November 13, 2024 - WASHINGTON
In a significant bipartisan move, members of Congress convened today in the Rayburn House Office Building to probe the U.S. government's knowledge and handling of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), commonly known as UFOs. The joint hearing, titled "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth," was co-chaired by Subcommittee Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, and Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs. Both lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for transparency and accountability in government-funded UAP research.
"This hearing is intended to help Congress and the American people learn the extent of the programs and activities our government has engaged in with respect to UAPs—and what knowledge it has yielded," Chairwoman Mace stated in her opening remarks. "Taxpayers deserve to know how much has been invested. They shouldn’t be kept in the dark to spare the Pentagon embarrassment."
Chairman Grothman echoed these sentiments, highlighting systemic issues within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC). "First, the Department of Defense Inspector General’s office informed us that the DoD does not have a streamlined process for servicemembers to report UAP activity," he noted. "The Intelligence Community Inspector General informed us that whistleblowers often fear severe retaliation for reporting mismanagement of highly sensitive government projects or information."
The hearing featured testimonies from four key witnesses:
Dr. Tim Gallaudet, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.), and CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, LLC
Luis Elizondo, former Department of Defense official
Michael Gold, former NASA Associate Administrator of Space Policy and Partnerships, and member of NASA's UAP Independent Study Team
Michael Shellenberger, founder of Public, a news media organization
Luis Elizondo, who previously led the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), provided a candid assessment of the government's approach to UAPs. "UAPs are real," he declared. "Both the U.S. and other countries have access to advanced, non-human technologies. This has led to an arms race of sorts, funded by taxpayer dollars but concealed from public and Congressional oversight". Elizondo detailed a culture of intimidation and suppression within government agencies. "Whistleblowers and those discussing UAPs face harassment, loss of credibility, and unwarranted criminal investigations," he said. He urged Congress to establish a centralized UAP oversight agency and implement strong protections for whistleblowers.
Michael Shellenberger reinforced these concerns, alleging that the DoD and IC have withheld critical information from Congress. "Multiple high-ranking officials and whistleblowers have suggested the government possesses non-human technology and biological materials," he testified. Shellenberger cited the case of David Grusch, a former intelligence officer who claimed that the U.S. has recovered such materials.
Transitioning to the scientific implications, Michael Gold emphasized the importance of destigmatizing UAP research to facilitate scientific inquiry. "The stigma around UAPs hinders scientific study and data collection," he asserted. Gold proposed that NASA leverage its global reputation and data-driven approach to lead UAP studies. "NASA could counter stigma by participating in UAP panels, hosting symposia, and supporting open research," he suggested.
Gold also advocated for applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to analyze archival data for anomalies. "Sharing these findings with agencies like the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and the public could advance understanding of UAP," he added.
Providing a firsthand account, Dr. Tim Gallaudet recounted a personal encounter with a UAP during a 2015 Navy training exercise. "The 'Go Fast' video, showing an unidentified object, was shared briefly before disappearing from Navy records," he said. "The lack of follow-up highlights a culture of secrecy that endangers safety". Gallaudet criticized the fragmented oversight of UAP programs across various agencies, leading to secrecy and inconsistent information. He urged Congress to pass the UAP Disclosure Act, which includes provisions for an independent UAP Records Review Board. "This board would ensure a comprehensive assessment of all UAP-related information and make findings available to the public," he explained.
The witnesses collectively highlighted a historical pattern of government disinformation on UAPs. Shellenberger pointed to the CIA's Robertson Panel of 1953, which recommended debunking UFO sightings to reduce public alarm. "The DoD and IC have been accused of perpetuating disinformation on UAPs, often using strategies to ridicule witnesses and whistleblowers," he stated.
Elizondo added, "We need a comprehensive, transparent UAP strategy involving academic, private, and international partners to restore public trust."
Lawmakers signaled a growing bipartisan commitment to addressing these issues. "I am supportive of the measures that were included in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act to increase transparency and improve record-keeping measures when it comes to UAPs," Chairman Grothman said. "But I believe there’s still more work that can be done". Chairwoman Mace stressed the necessity of holding government agencies accountable. "Transparency is not just a buzzword; it's a fundamental obligation," she remarked. "We need to ensure that any government-funded research on UAPs is thoroughly examined and that the findings are shared with Congress and the American people."
The hearing also delved into concerns about national security and airspace safety. Witnesses described advanced UAP maneuvers and incursions near critical infrastructure, including nuclear sites. "These anomalies pose potential security vulnerabilities," Gallaudet warned.
Gold highlighted the scientific value of studying anomalies. "Anomalies drive scientific progress," he said, citing historical breakthroughs like General Relativity. "Embracing UAP study could lead to advances in physics, energy, and biology."
It is evident that the push for transparency on UAPs is gaining momentum. The testimonies underscored a collective call for openness, scientific exploration, and restored public trust.
"We need to face the UAP issue head-on," Elizondo urged. "To rebuild faith in our institutions and provide the truth to the American people and the world". Chairwoman Mace and Chairman Grothman committed to further action, signaling that this hearing is just the beginning of a deeper investigation into a subject that has long been relegated to the fringes of governmental oversight.
