H.R. 8197 is a bill introduced by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-2) on April 6, 2026, that would shut down the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Department of Defense's dedicated UAP office. If passed, the Secretary of Defense would have 60 days to close AARO and move its functions to other parts of the Pentagon. The bill also repeals the law that created AARO and blocks the creation of any similar centralized UAP office in the future.
What would this bill actually do?
The bill gives the Secretary of Defense 60 days after enactment to terminate AARO and transfer its functions to other parts of the Department of Defense. It also repeals Section 1683 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which is the law that originally created AARO.
Beyond closing the office, the bill makes conforming changes to several other laws, removing references to AARO and shifting responsibilities to the Secretary of Defense directly.
Could a new AARO-like office be created later?
No, not under this bill. The legislation includes an explicit prohibition: neither the Secretary of Defense nor the Director of National Intelligence could establish a new single office or entity with centralized authority over UAP matters. This ban applies to any office "similar to" AARO.
Who introduced this bill and where does it stand?
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-2) introduced the bill on April 6, 2026. As of that same date, it was referred to both the House Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. No further action has been recorded yet.
How does the bill define UAP?
The bill includes its own definitions. It defines "unidentified anomalous phenomena" as airborne objects that are not immediately identifiable, transmedium objects or devices (meaning objects observed moving between space, atmosphere, or bodies of water that are not immediately identifiable), and submerged objects that display behavior suggesting a connection to those airborne objects.