Chairman Wenstrup to hold hearing with 'Proximal Origins' authors

Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) will hold a hearing titled “Investigating the Proximal Origin of a Cover Up” to examine the potential conflicts of interest and suppression of scientific discourse by the National Institutes of Health surrounding the drafting, publication, and critical reception of the infamous “The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2” (“Proximal Origins”) correspondence. Previous evidence uncovered by the Select Subcommittee directly revealed that Dr. Fauci prompted the drafting of “Proximal Origins” to disprove the lab leak theory in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, the Select Subcommittee conducted transcribed interviews with every U.S.-based contributor of the paper and announced its first subpoena for private communications between the co-authors. This hearing will assess whether America’s leading health officials acted to downplay the lab leak theory and evaluate the long-term consequences of stifling scientific debate to fit a desired narrative.

“With insufficient evidence in hand and Dr. Fauci’s prompting as protection, ‘Proximal Origins’ seemingly became one of the most egregious cover-ups of the COVID-19 pandemic. Robust scientific discourse was abandoned in pursuit of a preferred, coordinated narrative. The origination of a virus that killed seven million people worldwide requires a thorough and comprehensive investigation — not a snap judgment based on questionable motives.

“These scientists have essential information to share with Americans about the cover-up of the origins of COVID-19 and the potential suppression of the lab-leak hypothesis by Dr. Fauci, Dr. Collins, and public health authorities. A complete look at all the facts is necessary, and the truth is nonnegotiable. The Select Subcommittee looks forward to their testimony as we continue to investigate the origins of COVID-19,” said Chairman Brad Wenstrup.

The hearing will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 11 at 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at https://oversight.house.gov/.