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| Andrea Hanks/WH |
On Friday, a spokesperson for the House Appropriations Committee told the Washington Post that the White House blocked Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, from testifying about the coronavirus pandemic.
Evan Hollander, spokesperson for the House Appropriations Committee, said the panel was requesting Fauci's testimony for next week's hearing but Trump administration officials refused the submission. Administrative officials have told the committee that the statement came from the White House.
"While the Trump Administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings. We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time," a statement says.
However, Dr. Fauci will be allowed to testify on May 12 in front of the Senate Health Committee, spokesperson for committee Chairman Lamar Alexander told NBC News.
Dr. Fauci has been a leading expert in the fight against the coronavirus. Along with Dr. Deborah Birx, the two have become leading doctors on the Coronavirus Task Force and became household names with their briefings.
White House spokesperson, Judd Deere said in a statement that the May 6 hearing is not a "appropriate" time for Fauci to go before the House. "While the Trump Administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings," Deere said. "We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time." |