Republican senators are invoking a federal statute to compel Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to answer their inquiries regarding the origins of COVID-19 and vaccine safety.
In a letter led by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and co-signed by Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan., the senators criticized HHS for its lack of transparency and responsiveness.
The senators are invoking a statute requiring executive agencies to submit requested information when prompted by five members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC). They highlighted eleven outstanding requests dating back to 2020, related to COVID-19's origins and vaccine safety, and demanded responses by July 12.
In the letter, the lawmakers explained that “HHS’s indifference and lack of responsiveness threatens our ability to fulfill our Constitutional oversight responsibility.”
“HHS’s refusal to provide the requested records over the last three years clearly demonstrates a full-fledged cover-up.” “What are you and your sub-agencies hiding?”
They accused HHS of a cover-up and warned of potential actions, including using subpoena power or holding Becerra in contempt of Congress, though the latter is unlikely to pass due to the current Democratic majority in the Senate.
Read the letter here.
