Fauci’s Public Testimony on COVID Origins and Controversies before House Panel
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert who left the government in 2022, faced tough questioning from Republican lawmakers on Monday regarding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Republican-led subcommittee has been investigating the nation’s response to the pandemic and whether U.S.-funded research in China may have contributed to its start. Democrats at the hearing stated that there is no evidence so far that Fauci did anything wrong, but that there were missed opportunities to better prepare for future outbreaks.
Fauci, who was a trusted figure during the pandemic but also faced criticism and threats, spent time being questioned by the House panel behind closed doors in January. This time, he faced new questions about the credibility of the National Institutes of Health, where he previously worked. Emails from an NIH colleague were revealed last month, raising concerns about transparency in the agency’s communication.
The main issue being discussed was the origin of the virus. Many scientists believe it originated in nature and crossed over from animals to humans, likely at a wildlife market in Wuhan. There is no new scientific evidence supporting the theory that it leaked from a lab. A U.S. intelligence analysis was inconclusive, and the Chinese government impeded efforts to trace the source in the early days of the outbreak.
Fauci has maintained that he is open to considering both theories, but that the evidence points more towards natural origins. He has stated that he is willing to accept any new evidence that may emerge.
Republicans have accused Fauci of lying to Congress about funding for risky research in China. The National Institutes of Health had provided grants to EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit working with a Chinese lab studying coronaviruses. The government recently suspended funding to EcoHealth Alliance due to oversight issues.
Fauci clarified that the research funded by EcoHealth Alliance did not involve creating the virus that caused the pandemic. He also denied conducting official business via personal email in his opening remarks.
Throughout the pandemic, Fauci was a prominent figure in providing public health guidance and played a key role in the development of vaccines. He was questioned by the panel about the science behind certain recommendations, including social distancing.
During the hearing, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene accused Fauci of misleading the public and refused to address him as “doctor.” She also called for Fauci to be prosecuted and imprisoned in a tweet.
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