Kelly and Bipartisan Group of Senators Push for Full Funding of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Office to Address Airborne National Security Risks

Today, amidst heightened focus on airborne national security risks, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), former NASA astronaut and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) in leading a bipartisan push for full funding of the unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) office, formally known as the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

The AARO was created in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act to authorize the Department of Defense (DoD) to resolve UAP sightings, improve data sharing between DoD and the Intelligence Community on UAP sightings, address national security concerns, and report health effects people may experience in relation to UAP events. AARO has access to DoD and Intelligence Community UAP data and is required to provide Congress with briefings and reports on UAPs. Fiscal Year 2023 funding falls short of what AARO needs to fulfill its mission and maintain American air supremacy.

In addition to Kelly, Gillibrand, and Rubio, the letter pushing for full funding of AARO is signed by Senators Warner (D-VA), Graham (R-SC), Heinrich (D-NM), Cramer (R-ND), Shaheen (D-NH), Warren (D-MA), Kaine (D-VA), Bennet (D-CO), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Blumenthal (D-CT), and Klobuchar (D-MN).

“AARO provides the opportunity to integrate and resolve threats and hazards to the U.S., while also offering increased transparency to the American people and reducing the stigma around this issue of high public interest,” wrote the senators. “AARO’s success will depend on robust funding for its activities and cooperation between the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. As such, we respectfully request your assistance in securing the necessary funding and organizational support for AARO’s success and longevity.”

For the full letter, please click HERE.

###