UFO politics — House v. Senate: Is it a coverup if senators fail to show up?

Rep. Burchett outside Oversight Committee minutes before UFO whistleblower David Grusch testifies on July 26, 2023. Photo: Matt Laslo

US senators may have longer terms than their counterparts in the House of Representatives, but it’s unclear what they do with that extra time (except, of course, fundraise).

On July 11th, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Armed Services Committee, told us at Ask a Pol she hadn’t looked into (or even heard of) UFO whistleblower David Grusch, but she planned to.

Matt Laslo’s reporter notebook, Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

The next time we saw Rosen was July 25, the eve of Grusch’s testimony in front of the House Oversight Committee.

When we followed up with Rosen on her verbal commitment (and seeming curiosity), she laughed.

RAW AUDIO: Sen. Jacky Rosen (7-25-2023)

Just a couple hours later, we tracked down Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN). We found him walking across the Capitol grounds with Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and Eric Burlison (R-MO) on their way to vote on the floor of the US House.

As you hear in the podcast, the group was giddy on the way into the Capitol. But on the House floor Burchett was informed him and Luna would not be chairing the Grusch hearing, even after Oversight Chair James Comer tasked the two with heading up his committee’s investigation.

Reps. Burchett and Luna prepare ahead of UAP whistleblower David Grusch’s testimony on July 26, 2023. Photo: Matt Laslo

Our one-on-one interview with Burchett, as he walked from the US Capitol back to his office across the street, is as pertinent now as it was then.

Not just because we pushed the Tennessean on next steps—ones he already had planned before their public hearing the next day—but because Burchett was raw, honest and determined after just being burned by GOP leaders.

RAW AUDIO (repost): Rep. Tim Burchett (7-25-2023)

Per Sen. Rosen, we knew she was on the Armed Services Committee, but we were surprised to learn she serves on its Emerging Threats & Capabilities Subcommittee.

Sen. Gillibrand chairs the Armed Services Emerging Threats & Capabilities Subcommittee, which Sen. Rosen also serves on. Photo: Matt Laslo

That subcommittee is chaired by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) who has told Ask a Pol she’s investigating Grusch, even if that message doesn’t seem to have made its way to her colleagues—those serving under her—on her committee.

Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, adjunct new media professor and founder of Ask a Pol

Ask a Pol: Your questions to your lawmakers at your US Capitol. X — @Ask_a_Pol or Insta — @askpols 

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