Republicans in the House of Representatives are launching an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 — an investigation whose subjects will include former White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Fauci received a letter on Monday from the Republican-led Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability requesting a “transcribed interview.”
However, some Republicans are doubtful that the GOP will produce results from these investigations.
“It’s time for congressional Republicans to deliver on promises the American people elected them to office for,” Roger Shafer, advisory chairman for the Dallas Young Republicans, told The Dallas Express.
“I expect little to transpire from these investigations since the GOP still believes they can placate to the base and not keep their promises.”
Fauci resigned as chief medical advisor in December. During his final White House briefing in November, he said, “If there are oversight hearings, I absolutely will cooperate fully and testify before the Congress.”
“I have no trouble testifying,” he continued. “We can defend and explain everything we’ve said.”
The aforementioned committees sent similar letters to National Intelligence Director Avril Haines, EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and former National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins.
“The American people deserve real answers after years of suffering through the Coronavirus pandemic and related government policies,” said Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chair Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), according to a statement released on Monday.
“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,” he continued.
“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. We can’t accept more years of stonewalling.”
Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) said, “Understanding the origins of COVID-19 is essential to providing accountability and protecting Americans in the future.”
Comer claimed the evidence indicates the COVID-19 virus leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China, that was not properly secured.
He asserted further that EcoHealth Alliance “funnel[ed] thousands of taxpayer dollars” to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, “which could have started the pandemic.”
“Dr. Fauci was alerted early on that COVID-19 had markings of a manipulated virus yet may have chosen to cover it up instead of blowing the whistle,” Comer said.
“We will continue to follow the facts to determine what could have been done differently to better protect Americans from this virus and hold U.S. government officials that took part in any sort of cover up accountable.”
None of the subcommittee’s Democratic members, including ranking member Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), have commented publicly on the letter sent by their Republican colleagues.
Dr. Fauci has yet to respond or speak on the matter publicly.
