Democrats, traditionally staunch defenders of the public health bureaucracy and Anthony Fauci, are now joining Republicans in questioning the transparency of government-backed virus research. This shift will be highlighted on Monday when Fauci testifies about his honesty regarding government involvement in controversial virus experiments.
Democrats Shift in Perspective
During the pandemic, Democrats vigorously defended Fauci and the public health bureaucracy against Republican criticisms. However, recent developments indicate a change in stance. On May 1, Democrats on a House Covid panel joined Republicans in condemning Peter Daszak, a British zoologist involved with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, for non-compliance with government rules. They also criticized David Morens, a longtime Fauci adviser, for his use of Gmail for official business and his cozy rapport with Daszak.
“We want facts. There was evidence of things that were not right,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).
Fauci’s Upcoming Testimony
Fauci’s testimony on Monday marks his first public appearance on Capitol Hill since leaving the government in 2022. He is expected to address allegations of using Gmail for government business and whether he was honest about the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding gain-of-function research, which seeks to enhance viruses to understand how to combat them.
NIH Principal Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak recently acknowledged that NIH money had funded gain-of-function research, contradicting Fauci’s previous denials. This acknowledgment has fueled further scrutiny from both parties.
The Role of Peter Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance
The NIH has taken actions against Daszak and his organization, EcoHealth Alliance, including stripping them of federal funding. The decision followed an audit report that criticized NIH’s oversight of EcoHealth’s collaboration with the Wuhan lab.
HHS recently suspended EcoHealth’s funding again and proposed barring the organization from future federal grants. HHS cited failures to report a coronavirus experiment’s results and to submit required documents.
Morens and FOIA Evasion
Emails released by the Covid panel revealed that Morens advised Daszak on handling criticism and circumvented Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Morens admitted to using personal email to protect his friend Daszak from embarrassment, raising concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest.
Implications for Fauci
Democrats and Republicans alike are scrutinizing Fauci’s role and the broader implications of NIH’s research practices. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), the subcommittee chair, suspects a potential “conspiracy at the highest levels of NIH” to avoid public transparency.
Both parties agree that the public deserves a full understanding of the government’s actions during the pandemic. Dingell emphasized the need for a fair hearing for Fauci, ensuring that the focus remains on factual inquiry rather than character assassination.
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