Trust is low in Congress. Members of the Congressional UAP Caucus are still scratching their heads tying to figure out how Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s own UAP amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was gutted, seemingly, in front of his own eyes.
Schumer’s role as Senate leader—one of four congressional leaders dubbed “the four corners” on intelligence matters in the Capitol—gives him extra access to the nation’s top secret programs, which is why UAP Caucus member Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) says he’s now unsure if Schumer is their ally or opponent in the fight for disclosure.
“I hope that he’s sincere in his efforts, because I'm disappointed that he didn't — I mean, he’s one of the four corners, he should have fought for that language. The question is, what other member, what other person in leadership didn't want that?” Burlison told Ask a Pol before Congress left Washington til the New Year. “You would have thought, if he wanted it and the Republican Chairman Mike Rogers wanted it, then why isn’t it in there?”
When we ask if opposition to the UAP measure came from House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner, Burlison confirms that’s the best information he has.
“It did,” Burlison tells us. “That's what I heard as well, but I don't know.”
That reminded us, we caught up with House Armed Services (HASC) Chair Mike Rogers as he was exiting the lone (partially) public NDAA conference committee meeting.
Unlike the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee (publicly, at least…), Rogers was aware of some of the broad contours of the negotiations taking place over Schumer’s UAP measure.
“I understand a lot of the language is duplicative of existing language,” Rogers exclusively told Ask a Pol through a large, quick-paced entourage of staffers and lawmakers at the end of November.
Guess which story we’re going to hunt down answers to in 2024…
Overall, even though Burlison tells us he’s disappointed and frustrated by how 2023 ended for the issue, Burlison says there were bright spots the Congressional UAP Caucus. Namely, they kept the issue alive throughout the year and even ended by moving the issue forward, if just a tad.
“It's at least something, but it gives us a bigger foothold for next year or future years to be able to strengthen that language and get further,” Burlison tells us.
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Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. & founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps, asking your questions at the Capitol. @Ask_a_Pol (or @askpols).
Ask a Pol is a new, people-powered press corps, asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. Follow us on the socials @Ask_a_Pol (or @askpols on Insta).
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Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s interview with Rep. Eric Burlison, slightly edited for clarity.
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