Tyler Cowen, Columnist

Government Secrecy About UFOs Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Congress is considering a bill to require disclosure, but it is sometimes necessary to keep national security information from the public.

Parking sign with spaceship, Rachel, Nevada, near Area 51.

Photographer: Karen Desjardin/Moment Mobile ED
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There is currently legislation before Congress that, if passed, could be one of the most important laws in US history. The Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023, which calls for transparency in matters related to UFOs, is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and has considerable bipartisan support, although it may fail due to Republican opposition.

One early version of the bill would, among other provisions, create a board of experts that would decide whether classified UAP information should be released. That would enable a managed process by which siloed governmental knowledge would eventually be made public.