The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 is a broad bill that sets policy and funding for U.S. intelligence agencies. It covers everything from diversity hiring to cybersecurity to unidentified aerial phenomena. The bill requires intelligence agencies to share UAP data with a Pentagon task force and Congress, establishes new protections for whistleblowers, and creates oversight mechanisms for classified information access.
What does this bill do for UAP?
The bill requires intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense to immediately share all data on unidentified aerial phenomena with the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (led by the Navy) and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. It also mandates that the task force submit classified quarterly reports to Congress listing all reported UAP events from the previous 90 days, plus any earlier events not yet reported.
Who has to report UAP data?
Every element of the intelligence community and the Department of Defense that has data on unidentified aerial phenomena must make that data available to the task force and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. The Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense are responsible for enforcing this requirement.
How often does Congress get UAP reports?
The Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force must submit quarterly reports to Congress starting within 90 days of the bill's enactment. Each report covers UAP events from the previous 90 days and any earlier events that weren't included in prior reports. All reports are submitted in classified form.
What else does the bill cover?
The bill addresses personnel issues like diversity and recruitment in intelligence agencies, establishes a Chaplain Corps at the CIA, protects whistleblowers who report to Congress, requires appeals processes for security clearance denials, and mandates various reports on cybersecurity, China, and other intelligence matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force?
The task force was established by the Department of Defense on August 4, 2020, and is led by the Department of the Navy under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. It collects and analyzes data on unidentified aerial phenomena.
the task force established by the Department of Defense on August 4, 2020, to be led by the Department of the Navy, under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
Which agencies must share UAP data?
Every element of the intelligence community and the Department of Defense that has data relating to unidentified aerial phenomena must make that data available immediately to the task force and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.
require each element of the intelligence community and the Department of Defense with data relating to unidentified aerial phenomena to make such data available immediately to the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force and to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center
What must the quarterly UAP reports to Congress include?
Each quarterly report must include all reported unidentified aerial phenomena events from the previous 90 days, plus any earlier events that were not included in previous reports. The reports are submitted in classified form.
When do the UAP reports to Congress begin?
The Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force must submit its first quarterly report to Congress no later than 90 days after the bill becomes law, and then continue submitting reports at least quarterly.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than quarterly thereafter, the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, or such other entity as the Deputy Secretary of Defense may designate to be responsible for matters relating to unidentified aerial phenomena, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress quarterly reports
Related Intelligence
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) are airborne objects seen by a pilot or aircrew that cannot be immediately identified.
Open fileIntelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
This bill authorizes intelligence spending for fiscal year 2022 and establishes new requirements for UAP data sharing and reporting.
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