Next UAP disclosure hearing set, as lawmakers consider new whistleblower protections
House lawmakers are reviewing new legislation that would codify distinct protections for whistleblowers who disclose information about any use of U.S. government funding to study “unidentified anomalous phenomenon material” — or matter associated with objects observed in air, space, or sea domains that cannot be immediately explained.
From UFOs to modern and transmedium UAP, the government has a complicated history in terms of its handling of reports about craft that appear to transcend the capabilities of existing technology, and records documenting related incidents.
But efforts to compel more transparency and oversight have continued to emerge in recent years, largely due to mounting public pressure and mandates from Congress.
The UAP Whistleblower Protection Act, introduced last week by Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), marks the latest move by lawmakers to help shield people who want to share information with Congress but fear retaliation — and motivate more of them to come forward.
A member of Burchett’s team told DefenseScoop in an email that the bill is identical to legislation put forward in November during Congress’ last session. If passed, they said it would ultimately add “provisions for individuals to report on the use of taxpayer funds to evaluate or research [UAP] to existing whistleblower protection statutes.”
This version of the bill was referred to the House committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Armed Services, and Intelligence for consideration.
Burchett and Luna are among a small cadre of policymakers who have been steadily prioritizing whistleblower hearings, public engagement sessions and other legislative efforts to promote more accountability and disclosure from the intelligence community, Department of Defense and other agencies regarding UAP.
On Wednesday, Luna announced a hearing on “Restoring Public Trust Through UAP Transparency and Whistleblower Protection” that’s officially set for Sept. 9.
The Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, which she chairs, will host the event next week. Recurring transparency concerns and the effectiveness of the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) are among several topics that will be up for discussion.
The panel of four witnesses testifying will include two Air Force veterans — Jeffrey Nuccetelli and Dylan Borland.
“The American people deserve maximum transparency from the federal government on sightings, acquisitions, and examinations of UAPs and whether they pose a potential threat to Americans’ safety,” Luna said in a statement. “Whistleblowers who provide details on spending information and policies and procedures regarding the classification and declassification of UAPs should be able to do so without retribution.”
