A packed House committee room and hundreds of spectators lined the halls of the Rayburn House Office Building for a pivotal hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena.
According to Roll Call, Republican and Democratic lawmakers joined forces at a joint subcommittee hearing of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to demand greater transparency regarding government knowledge of UFOs, now officially termed unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).
Former Naval Commander Tim Gallaudet shared a compelling account from 2015 involving mysterious objects interfering with military exercises off the East Coast. His testimony highlighted the disappearance of crucial documentation and an apparent reluctance among senior officials to address the incident, raising concerns about potential government secrecy.
Luis Elizondo, a former Department of Defense employee, provided testimony that contradicted the Pentagon's official position on UAPs. He confirmed discussions about recovered "biologics" during his time at the Pentagon, though he emphasized these events predated his tenure. The Department of Defense's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office maintains there is no evidence supporting extraterrestrial technology in UAP sightings.
South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace, who chairs the Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, expressed her concerns about resistance to the hearing. As she stated:
I'm not going to name names, but there are certain individuals who didn't want this hearing to happen because they feared what might be disclosed.
Michael Shellenberger, founder of the Substack newsletter "Public," defended his reporting about a classified program called "Immaculate Constellation" despite official denials of its existence.
The growing interest in UAPs has sparked several legislative initiatives. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Mike Rounds previously supported an amendment to the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act for creating a UAP records collection. Representatives Tim Burchett, Jared Moskowitz, Anna Paulina Luna, and Eric Burlison have introduced legislation demanding declassification of federal UAP documents.
A new bill focusing on whistleblower protection for individuals sharing UAP information has emerged. This legislative push addresses concerns about potential retaliation against those who come forward with sensitive information. Additionally, Representative Robert Garcia has proposed legislation requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to establish formal UAP reporting requirements for civilian pilots.
The topic has gained increased attention from high-profile figures, including President-elect Donald Trump, who discussed mysterious spherical objects during an October appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast. Former House and Senate staffer Kirk McConnell has also made notable claims about crash retrievals in a documentary.
Tim Gallaudet emphasized the negative impact of excessive classification in his testimony:
The continued overclassification surrounding UAPs has not only hindered our ability to effectively address these phenomena, but it has also eroded trust in our institutions.
The hearing has highlighted the growing tension between government agencies maintaining secrecy and lawmakers pushing for disclosure. Congressional representatives from both parties have expressed frustration with what they perceive as stonewalling from various government entities.
The joint subcommittee hearing marks a significant step in Congress's ongoing investigation into UAPs, bringing together military officials, researchers, and lawmakers in a public forum. The event attracted unprecedented public interest, with UFO enthusiasts and media representatives filling the hearing room and hallways of the Rayburn House Office Building.
The continuing push for transparency, supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, suggests this issue will remain at the forefront of congressional oversight efforts. Multiple pieces of legislation are now moving through Congress, aimed at breaking down barriers to information sharing and protecting those who come forward with UAP-related information.
