House GOP calls on Fauci and Biden officials for information on COVID-19 origin
Misty Severi
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Republican lawmakers in the House issued requests for testimony on the origin of COVID-19 on Monday. Among other things, they requested testimony from former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci.
The 12-member COVID-19 response subcommittee reopened its investigation into the origins of the disease, including examining the federal government’s alleged funding for gain-of-function research.
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“This investigation must begin with where and how this virus came about so that we can attempt to predict, prepare or prevent it from happening again,” Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), the chairman of the select subcommittee, said in a statement. “Government scientists and government funded researchers have so far been less than forthcoming in their knowledge and actions, including work with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and potential pandemic pathogens.”
The gain-of-function research is a big part of the belief that the virus came from a leak at a lab in Wuhan, China. Gain-of-function research refers to research and experiments that strengthen a virus’s ability to cause an infection. It helps scientists can develop cures. House Republicans on the Foreign Affairs Committee released a report last year concluding that the pandemic originated from the lab.
House GOP lawmakers have also requested testimonies from former and current Biden administration officials, including Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera. The subcommittee is also seeking phone records, calendars, and other communications from the National Institutes of Health and NIAID.
Fauci was the leader of NIAID throughout the pandemic and for nearly four decades before retiring last year.
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The requests do not force people to give testimonies, but Wenstrup warned in December that the committee would issue subpoenas for important figures if the testimonies are not given freely.
Fauci has previously said he would testify in front of a Republican-led committee. In its request, the subcommittee asked Fauci for a transcribed interview that would be conducted under oath. The lawmakers also want a classified intelligence briefing.