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Today, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, delivered an opening statement at a Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena. Read his remarks below.

As prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Chairman Carson, for holding this open hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena. Holding a portion of our discussion today in open session is critical to the cause of transparency and openness, which was Congress’s intent in authorizing and funding the new task force.

The larger effort that is being undertaken to study and characterize UAP reports is an important step towards understanding these phenomena - what we know and don’t know - and I look forward to hearing more during both this open session and in a classified setting how DOD and the IC are undertaking that task.

UAP reports have been around for decades, and yet we haven’t had an orderly way for them to be reported – without stigma – and to be investigated.

That needs to change. UAP reports need to be understood as a national security matter, and that message needs to go out across DOD, the IC, and the whole of the U.S. government. When we spot something we don’t understand or can’t identify in our air space, it’s the job of those we entrust with our national security to investigate. And report back.

That is why it is important we hold this open hearing for the public to hear directly from the Department of Defense on the steps it is taking to track, analyze, and transparently communicate the work that is being done on this issue.

It is also the responsibility of our government and this panel to share as much as we can with the American people – since excessive secrecy only breeds distrust and speculation. I look forward to hearing how the UAP task force is being stood up, what challenges they still face, and how this committee can help make sure the task force is able to shed light on one of the world’s most enduring mysteries.

I thank the Chair, and I yield back.

Watch the full hearing here.

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