2023-06-07 - Senator Rubio Letter to Phillip Davis

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Marco Rubio
Florida

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510-0908

Dear Mr. Davis,

Thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts with regard to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). Understanding your views helps me to better represent Florida in the United States Senate, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Dozens of men and women entrusted with the defense of our country have reported encounters with UAPs over restricted U.S. military installations. This is a great concern and I remain committed to finding answers. In some cases, these objects seem to be evidence of technological advancements unknown to our military officials. Rather than speculate as to the nature of these objects, I rely on investigations by our military and intelligence community officials. Furthermore, my Senate colleagues and I view the inability to accurately identify these phenomena entering our airspace as a major vulnerability for U.S. national security. It is important that the U.S. government rid itself of the stigmas attached to UAP and refine its processes to report, analyze data, and arrive at answers.

The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (S. 3905), signed into law in December 2020, required the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and other agency heads, to submit to Congress an unclassified report on UAP by June

2021. On June 25, 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued their report on UAPs, representing an important first step in cataloging incidents raised by both military and civilian personnel. The report indicated that there was insufficient evidence to make a conclusive judgment about the phenomenon and that inconsistencies in the previous reporting further challenged their assessments. The report further highlighted the importance of developing relevant processes, policies, and other means for U.S. military and civilian personnel to identify and report instances of encounters with UAP.

Most recently, I worked with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to successfully include an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-81), that would replace the current Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force with a new office, administered jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence. This office will significantly improve data-sharing between agencies on UAP sightings, help address national security concerns, and report health effects people may experience in relation to UAP events. On July 20, 2022, this office, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) was created.

As Congress conducts oversight of AARO, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that the office remains committed to finding solutions to the challenging task of addressing what UAP means for our nation's security. I remain committed to ensuring AARO has the resources it needs to conduct their important work.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve you as your United States Senator. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I will keep your thoughts in mind as I consider these issues and continue working to ensure America remains a safe and prosperous nation.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio