Anthony Fauci, who previously served as the chief medical adviser to President Biden, is set to testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on June 3. This will mark his first appearance before a congressional panel since concluding his government work in late 2022.
Subcommittee Chair Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) declared on Wednesday that a hearing will be held. Late last year, Fauci had agreed to testify and also participated in two days of interviews in January.
The interviews behind closed doors centered on gain-of-function research, alleged federal records violations, conflicts of interest, and confusion surrounding pandemic guidance. Throughout the entirety of the interviews, Fauci was accompanied by two attorneys.
In a statement, Wenstrup highlighted Dr. Fauci’s closed-door interview in January, where he shed light on significant flaws in our public health system that require further examination. Dr. Fauci testified about the sudden emergence of the ‘6 feet apart’ social distancing guidance, which played a pivotal role in the closure of small businesses and schools throughout the United States.
“These statements raise serious questions that demand public scrutiny, as they represent the forefront of America’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
When contacted by The Hill, Ranking Member Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) expressed his appreciation for Dr. Fauci’s voluntary testimony in June. He stated that this would enable the American public to independently assess the outcomes of the Majority’s extensive investigation.
According to Ruiz, Dr. Fauci is a committed public servant who courageously stepped forward to serve our nation during the most challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he expressed concern that for the past fourteen months, the Republican Majority has been using valuable time and taxpayer resources to pursue a politically motivated investigation aimed at tarnishing Dr. Fauci’s reputation. Ruiz called on the majority in the subcommittee to release the transcripts from the January meeting.
According to extensive research conducted, which includes the examination of numerous documents, interviews with public health officials and researchers, and even a comprehensive 14-hour testimony from Dr. Fauci himself, no evidence has been found to suggest that he intentionally concealed the origins of the pandemic or suppressed the lab leak theory.
During the interviews, the only information available is what members have shared with reporters. Lawmakers noted that the veteran government scientists offered a lot of clarification during the meeting. However, Wenstrup mentioned that Fauci repeatedly stated that he did not recall specific details about the pandemic during the interview.
Wenstrup assured that a transcript of the meeting will be made available before the June hearing.
