Dr. Fauci, Rand Paul get in shouting match over Wuhan lab COVID research

At a Senate Health Committee hearing aimed at updating lawmakers on the country’s COVID-19 response, Kentucky Republicans began by questioning Fauci, director of the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Country, if he knows that lying before Congress is a crime.

Paul said: “On May 11, you stated that the NIH has never and does not currently fund functional enhancement research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. He stated that the study of the function – which could theoretically enhance the transmissibility of the virus – was carried out in a laboratory and referenced an academic paper by a Chinese scientist, He then asked to be entered into the record and for a copy to be given to Fauci.

“Dr. Fauci, knowing that lying to Congress is a crime, would you like to retract your statement on May 11, where you stated at the NIH never funded research to increase office? power and continue?” Paul said, repeating his unsupported accusation.

Fauci flatly refused Paul’s offer.

“Senator Paul, I’ve never lied to Congress. And I’m not retracting that statement,” he said.

Paul suggested Fauci and the NIH may be partly responsible for the pandemic and the deaths of 4 million people worldwide.

The virologist explained that the paper Paul referenced did not represent functional research, and when Paul interrupted, a shouting match ensued.

“Let me finish!” Fauci said, as Paul tried to interrupt. “Sen. Paul, you don’t know what you’re talking about, quite frankly. And I mean officially, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Continuing their ongoing feud, the two argued over the definition of gain-of-function. NIH Director Francis Collins, in a statement earlier this year, warned of misinformation, saying “The NIH and NIAID have never approved any grants supporting ‘increased function’ research on the coronavirus. may increase their transmissibility or lethality to humans.”

But Paul will not be shaken.

“You’re dancing around this because you’re trying to cover up responsibility for the four million people who died around them because of a pandemic,” Paul said.

At that point, Senate Medical Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash., told Paul to let Fauci finish — though the senator continued to interrupt his witness.

“I absolutely resent the lie you are propagating now, Senator,” Fauci said. “If you look at the viruses used in the experiments, given in the annual reports, published in the literature, it’s molecularly impossible–“

Paul interjected, “You’re obviously disturbing the truth,” Fauci replied, “I’m not messing with the truth – you are.”

“You’re implying that what we’ve done is responsible for the deaths of individuals. I’m completely outraged by that,” Fauci said.

Paul interrupted, “It could have been.”

“If anyone’s lying here, it’s you,” Fauci turned, pointing at Paul.

When Paul’s time expired, the next legislator, Senator Tina Smith, DN.M., gave Fauci a chance to “resist the attacks on your integrity that we’ve all just had.” witnessed.”

“I don’t think I have anything more to say,” Fauci said. “This is a model that Senator Paul has implemented at many hearings that is not based on fact. He continues to talk about achieving function. This has been evaluated many times by people. qualified to not fall below the Definition function gain.

“I have not lied to Congress. I have never lied, certainly not to Congress. The case is closed,” Fauci said.