Kayla Epstein
US reporter

You might notice that we're going to use an acronym, UAP, rather than UFO. What's the difference?

Technically, there isn't one. It's really a difference of tone.

UAP stands for "unidentified aerial phenomena", used to describe unexplainable sights in the sky.

UFO stands for unidentified flying object, used colloquially to describe alien spacecraft.

Both acronyms describe the same thing: an object in the sky that cannot be identified.

But as a Navy spokesman explained to me in so many words a couple years ago, external, UAP sounds less, well, crazy. Calling them "UFOs" might discourage pilots from reporting unexplained sightings for fear of being stigmatised.

Government officials, including on the panel today, have been favoring UAP over UFO.

(But yes, we're talking about UFOs.)

Image source, Getty Images

Democratic Representative Robert Garcia used his opening remarks to say that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle need to come together to demand better accountability when it comes to UAPs.

"The sheer number of reports, whistleblowers, and stories of unidentified anomalous phenomena should raise real questions and warrant investigation and oversight. And that's why we're here today," he said.

Image source, Getty Images

Rep. Tim Burchett, who has been one of the main lawmakers spearheading the probe into UAPs and government transparency, just gave his opening remarks.

"This is huge, this is worldwide", he said, mentioning that he met someone this morning who had travelled from Denmark just to attend this hearing.

Dozens of members of the public, captured in photos, external on Twitter, lined up outside Congress this morning to get a seat in the room.

Burchett claims the threat of UFOs have been downplayed by many people around the world.

Jon Donnison
Reporting from Washington DC

In a polarised political landscape, there are few issues Republicans and Democrats in Congress can agree on.

But the push for greater transparency from the Pentagon and intelligence agencies over the issue of UAPs, formally known as UFOs, and the possibility of extra-terrestrial life has seen a rare outbreak of bipartisanship.

Today’s hearing by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee came about after remarkable claims earlier this year from David Grusch, a former intelligence officer, who claimed the US government was secretly holding “intact and partially intact alien vehicles including one as big as a football field".

He’s likely to be asked whether he has seen them with his own eyes. He’s previously said he hasn't and that he’d only heard reports of the vehicles from trusted sources. Grusch will be among those giving evidence today.

Image source, Getty Images

We just heard from Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman, who's chairing today's hearing.

He says there's been interest in UAPs for over 50 years, and that two US presidents - Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter - have even claimed to see UFOs.

But he says the US government is not prepared to handle the interest.

There is "a pressing demand for government transparency and accountability" about reports of UAPs, Grothman says.

He yields the rest of his time to representatives Tim Burchett and Anna Paulina Luna - who have spearheaded the research into UAPs.

You can stream it live at the top of the page.

Image source, EPA

Today, we’ll be hearing from three witnesses, all who served in the US military:

• David Grusch, a former US intelligence official for the Air Force
• David Fravor, a former US Navy commander
• Ryan Graves, a former Navy pilot

The three witnesses will be sharing their experiences with UAPs.

Grusch has alleged that the US government has been covering up evidence of alien technology, while both Graves and Fravor have claimed they had first-hand encounters with UFOs.

They will be questioned by a small committee of lawmakers today.

Image source, Getty Images

Today’s hearing, set to begin at 10:00 local time (15:00 BST), is centred on reports of UAPs, or unidentified aerial phenomena.

It comes amid a push from lawmakers from both sides of the aisle for greater transparency about the reported encounters.

The panel will hear from three witnesses with knowledge of how the government has handled unidentified flying object (UFO) reports.

In a news release announcing the hearing last week, Republican Representative Tim Burchett said witnesses are being called to provide public testimony “because the American people deserve the truth”.

They hope the hearing helps pressure the executive branch to release more information about UAPs.

Thanks for tuning into our live coverage.

Today, a House panel will hold a congressional hearing on unidentified flying objects, also known as UAPs or UFOs.

We’re expecting to hear from three former members of the US military who will be answering questions from lawmakers on the House Oversight’s subcommittee on National Security, the Border and Foreign Affairs.

You will be able to stream the hearing live at the top of the page when it begins at the top of the hour.