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The Big Story
Fauci pushes back against GOP claims at hearing
Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious diseases expert, on Monday pushed back against GOP claims that he is covering up the origins of the coronavirus and said the discussion about his role has been “seriously distorted.”
© AP
Fauci, who ran the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for four decades before retiring in 2022, faced heated questions from Republicans on the House subcommittee investigating the nation’s coronavirus response.
The panel has been investigating the origins of the virus, but lately has been focusing on Fauci’s role. The 83-year-old immunologist began drawing the ire of conservatives when he would publicly contradict former President Trump in 2020.
Fauci became the public face of the pandemic during both the Trump and Biden administrations, though Monday marked his first time testifying about COVID-19 in front of a GOP-led panel.
He said it was “simply preposterous” to claim he tried to influence the research conducted by leading scientists into the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus or that he pressured them to downplay the possibility it came from a Chinese lab.
Fauci has long said publicly he has an open mind about whether the virus developed naturally or leaked from a lab, but he maintains there is stronger evidence for natural origins.
“The accusation being circulated that I influenced the scientists to change their minds by bribing them with millions of dollars in grant money is absolutely false, and simply preposterous,” Fauci said.
He also explained that the idea of a lab leak isn’t by itself a conspiracy theory.
“What is conspiracy is the kind of distortion of that particular subject. Like it was a lab leak and I was parachuted into the CIA like Jason Bourne,” Fauci said.
Republicans also focused on Fauci’s relationship with EcoHealth Alliance, as well as agency deputies who deleted emails to seemingly evade federal public records laws. Fauci was quick to distance himself from David Morens, the senior advisor whose emails revealed the deception attempts.
“We have senior officials from your office, in their own writing, discussing breaking federal law, deleting official records and sharing private government information with grant recipients,” said subcommittee chairman Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio).
The subcommittee has found a surprising amount of bipartisan cooperation lately, but Monday’s hearing was divided among partisan lines from the start.
Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi— every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.
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Essential Reads
How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond:
5 takeaways from Fauci’s heated House hearing
During his first congressional hearing in nearly two years, former chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci picked up where he left off: trading barbs with Republicans over the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci’s public testimony before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic was long anticipated and preceded by two days of closed-door interviews in January. More recent hearings… Full Story |
Senate Democrats renew election year push for IVF protections
Senate Democrats on introduced a legislative package Monday aimed at protecting access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), part of an election year push to focus on reproductive rights and get Republicans on the record opposing those efforts. Full Story |
GOP chair reprimands Greene for refusing to call Fauci ‘doctor’
Rep.Marjorie Taylor Greene(R-Ga.) was reprimanded by Rep.Brad Wenstrup(R-Ohio), the chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, for refusing to recognizeAnthony Faucias a doctor while questioning him. Full Story |
On Our Radar
Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:
- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Tuesday will examine the fallout of state abortion bans and how access has changed in the two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade
- The House Energy and Commerce oversight subcommittee will look Tuesday at the federal government’s 340B drug discount program.
- FDA advisers on Wednesday will make recommendations about the formulation of fall COVID-19 vaccines.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will tee up a vote Wednesday on legislation to create a federal right to contraception.
In Other News
Branch out with a different read:
Poppi faces lawsuit from consumer who questions its gut health claims
Popular soda brand Poppi is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by a consumer who says its products don’t improve gut health as much as their marketing suggests. In a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, Kristin Cobbs said she purchased Poppi drinks on multiple occasions because of their labels, which say they…
Full Story
Around the Nation
Local and state headlines on health care:
- In Baltimore’s senior homes, overdoses plague a forgotten generation (New York Times via Baltimore Banner)
- Strict rules over delta-8 and delta-9 likely for Texas’ booming hemp industry(Texas Tribune)
- Montana Medicaid providers due at least $8.5M in delayed state payouts, they estimate (Daily Montanan)
What We’re Reading
Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets:
- ‘So much death’: Lawmakers weigh stricter speed limits, safer roads for pedestrians (KFF Health News)
- Landmark review spotlights challenge of judging psychedelic therapies (Axios)
- Physicians take Medicare Advantage to task for rural patients’ care gaps (Stat)
What Others are Reading
Most read stories on The Hill right now:
Trump urges Supreme Court to act before his sentencing Former President Trump on Sunday called on the Supreme Court to act ahead of his July sentencing after he was found guilty on 34 felony counts in his… Read more | Bill Maher: Biden is ‘going to f‑‑‑ing lose’ Bill Maher predicted an Election Day defeat for President Biden, despite reiterating his support for the president, telling tech journalist Kara Swisher… Read more |
What People Think
Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill:
- Congress must act now to help Americans still suffering from the legacy of nuclear tests
- I served alongside Dr. Fauci. Let’s honor him and his 50 years of advancing public health
You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!
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