Summary

The origin of COVID-19—a virus with a death toll surpassing one million Americans and then six million globally—is a question that must be answered. Discovering the origin is vital to providing accountability and protecting Americans in the future. Mounting evidence points to the virus originating from a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). EcoHealth Alliance, a U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) grantee, awarded taxpayer funds to the WIV to conduct gain of function research on bat coronaviruses – research that may have started the pandemic. 

Committee Republicans have unearthed emails revealing that top virologists warned Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, that the virus appeared to be genetically engineered and pointed to a lab leak in Wuhan. However, these emails reveal that Dr. Fauci and former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins may have colluded with scientists to downplay the lab leak theory for their preferred narrative of natural origin. 

The American people deserve answers and accountability. Committee Republicans will continue to follow the facts to determine what, if anything, could have been done differently to guard against the harms Americans have endured during the pandemic.

The relationship between the NIH, the WIV, and EcoHealth raises serious questions about use of taxpayer dollars for gain-of-function research and when U.S. health officials became aware of the WIV’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. The public health community—including the NIH—and the American people deserve the truth. The truth will enable American public health officials to prevent and minimize the effects of future global pandemics.

-CHAIRMAN JAMES COMER

MEDIA

Republicans dig in on COVID origins investigation, demand HHS investigation and details on alleged ‘cover-up’

Fauci dismissed Wuhan lab leak theory as ‘shiny object’ in April 2020 email

What Else Is EcoHealth Alliance Hiding?

It is essential to understand the origins of this virus in order to prevent it from happening again. Without a full and comprehensive investigation, we cannot adequately prepare for the next outbreak.

-CHAIRMAN JAMES COMER

MEDIA

Ex-CDC chief: Fauci ‘sidelined’ me from COVID debate for backing lab leak theory