Eric Burlison

Legislative Champion for UAP Transparency

Eric Wayne Burlison (born October 2, 1976) is a U.S. Representative from Missouri's 7th Congressional District, serving since 2023. A Republican with a background in private-sector finance and technology, Burlison has emerged as one of the most vocal and legislatively active congressional advocates for government transparency on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), wielding his position on House Intelligence committees to push for systematic declassification and institutional reform.

Path to Congress and Committee Influence

Born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, Burlison earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and an MBA from Missouri State University. Before entering politics, he spent twenty years as an investment advisor and software consultant. His political career began with election to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2008, where he served until 2017, followed by four years in the Missouri State Senate (2019–2023). His 2022 election to Congress provided him access to classified briefings and intelligence committee work that would define his recent focus on UAP disclosure.

Classified Briefings and Public Statements

In mid-2023, Burlison participated in a closed-door Pentagon briefing where he and other congressmen were shown classified UAP videos. In a subsequent public statement widely covered by Newsweek and other outlets, Burlison described the footage as depicting objects and phenomena that "defy physics" and "defy logic." He emphasized that the classified material revealed capabilities and observations far more significant than publicly available information suggested, underscoring the gap between official disclosure and congressional knowledge.

Following these briefings, Burlison became increasingly direct in accusing the federal government of actively stonewalling UAP information. He sent official letters to institutions including MIT Lincoln Laboratory, demanding release of declassified materials referenced in 1952 Pentagon briefings on UAP, effectively leveraging congressional authority to pressure compliance with information requests.

The UAP Disclosure Act of 2025

Burlison's most significant legislative achievement to date is authoring the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Disclosure Act of 2025, which he submitted as an amendment to the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Cosponsored by Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), the bill represents a comprehensive framework for systematic UAP records declassification.

Key Provisions

The UAP Disclosure Act would:

• Establish a UAP Records Collection at the National Archives to centralize and preserve all government-held UAP records, preventing destruction or alteration
• Create an independent UAP Records Review Board with authority to oversee declassification and release decisions, reducing agency gatekeeping
• Mandate automatic declassification of UAP records within 25 years, unless the sitting President certifies a specific and documented national security exemption
• Require congressional oversight and annual reporting on the status of declassification efforts and any claimed exemptions
• Protect whistleblower disclosures by establishing legal frameworks for federal employees and contractors to safely report UAP-related information to Congress

Although the bill did not ultimately secure inclusion in the FY 2026 NDAA—reportedly blocked from consideration by House Rules Committee restrictions—Burlison's legislative effort established a detailed template for transparency reform and demonstrated serious congressional interest in structural solutions rather than piecemeal disclosure.

Disclosure Era Leadership

Burlison's work exemplifies the post-2017 legislative shift toward formal UAP inquiry. Unlike earlier congressional interest (exemplified by figures like Harry Reid and the classified AATIP program), Burlison's approach combines classified briefing access, bipartisan legislative drafting, and deliberate public pressure campaigns. He has publicly stated that government agencies are deliberately obstructing FOIA requests and whistleblower protections, and that sustained congressional action—not voluntary declassification—is necessary to overcome institutional resistance.

Personal Life and Philosophy

Burlison is married to Angie and has two daughters, Reese and Aubrey. He is described as actively involved in church and campus ministries. His philosophical education informs his emphasis on transparency as a foundational principle of democratic governance—a framing that has allowed him to pitch UAP disclosure not as fringe interest but as accountability on matters of national security and scientific significance.

Current Status

As of June 2026, Burlison remains in Congress and continues to champion UAP transparency measures. His persistence in addressing classified briefing gaps and his willingness to publicly criticize government resistance—backed by legislative authority—have positioned him as a primary point of contact for researchers, whistleblowers, and other disclosure advocates seeking congressional leverage.