Rep. Burlison warns midterm results could halt UAP disclosure efforts

Rep. Eric Burlison warned on October 28, 2026, that UAP disclosure efforts will come to a complete halt if Democrats win control of Congress in the midterm elections ^[2].

The warning comes as Republicans attempt to codify the disclosure process through legislation and the Trump administration continues releasing records. The outcome of the elections could determine whether the current momentum toward transparency persists or is replaced by investigations into the executive branch ^[2].

Midterm Election Risks to UAP Disclosure Efforts

Burlison, a Missouri Republican and member of the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, stated during an interview on the “Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton” podcast that a Democratic victory would end the current effort ^[2]. The podcast also covered other subjects, including the CIA’s MK-Ultra program and the JFK assassination ^[2]. Burlison claims the Democratic Party has made it clear it intends to prioritize investigations of the Trump administration over the study of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), also commonly known as UFOs ^[2].

Burlison added that the Trump administration, which he described as having been "very generous" with resources on the topic, would likely move those resources into "defense mode" to counter Democratic investigations ^[2]. He suggests this shift in priority would further strip support from disclosure initiatives ^[2].

The Burlison Amendment and the National Archives Framework

To prevent such a collapse, the House adopted the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act ^[3]. This legislation is intended to support the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, known as PURSUE ^[3]. By bolstering legal authorities for disclosure, the amendment seeks to move records out of scattered agencies and away from a lack of meaningful oversight ^[3].

The amendment would establish a statutory framework for the review and public release of UAP records, requiring federal agencies to identify, organize, preserve, and transmit covered UAP records to the National Archives according to a statutory timeline ^[3]. This includes the creation of a permanent UAP Records Collection at the National Archives and an independent, Senate-confirmed UAP Records Review Board with subpoena authority to hear testimony and determine if information should remain protected under legal standards ^[3]. The framework also extends disclosure requirements to covered government contractors ^[3].

"The government belongs to the American people," Burlison said regarding the need for an independent review process to make records available to the public ^[3].

The Current State of Government Records and Reporting

The push for legislation follows a series of records releases by the Trump administration that began in May ^[2]. The most recent tranche of files was revealed on October 23 ^[2]. Despite these releases, a House Oversight Committee hearing confirmed that UAP-related information is being withheld from senior officials and members of Congress ^[6]. A House Oversight Committee hearing confirmed that UAP-related information is being withheld from senior officials and members of Congress ^[6].

The volume of reported activity remains high. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) received 319 reports of UAP-related events between June 2, 2024, and May 30, 2025 ^[5].

Internal Instability and Leadership Shifts in the UAP Caucus

The movement for disclosure faces internal fragmentation and leadership losses. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida has called for the Pentagon's UFO office, AARO, to be disbanded ^[1].

The UAP Caucus, formed in 2023 after whistleblower David Grusch testified that the U.S. government had recovered vehicles of “nonhuman” origin and was attempting to reverse-engineer them, is also losing members ^[2]. Representatives Nancy Mace of South Carolina is retiring, and Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost in an August GOP primary ^[2]. The caucus currently includes Burlison, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Luna, and a lone Democrat, Jared Moskowitz of Florida, who faces a tougher reelection battle than in previous years ^[2]. Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana, a Democrat who received an “honorable mention” from the caucus, told The Hill he plans to continue advocating for transparency ^[2].

Burlison is among the few remaining leaders likely to stay in office, with Decision Desk HQ giving him a 99% chance of winning reelection in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District over Democratic opponent Missi Hesketh ^[2].

What we don't know

• Which specific resources from the Trump administration would be moved into "defense mode" as claimed by Burlison?
• Which specific records were included in the October 23 tranche of files?
• Will the Senate adopt the UAP Disclosure Act amendment passed by the House?
• What specific information is currently being withheld from senior officials and members of Congress as noted in the Oversight Committee hearing?