This issue was again in dispute over the past week when four top House Republicans convened a self-described hearing on the origins and management of the virus. They accused Democrats of neglecting the issue and supporting Beijing. During Thursday's House debates on a spending bill for fiscal 2022 State Foreign Operations, lawmakers clashed with each other over the Wuhan leak theory.The issue has gained more attention after President Joe Biden ordered the intelligence community to intensify their efforts to study the virus' origins in May. However, China isn't cooperating and the administration hasnt stated whether new information has been discovered. Democrats fear that murky conclusions that don't identify the virus' origin could be used by the Republicans, while evidence that disproves the lab leak theory might lead to more accusations of a cover up.It's very difficult because any information that is uncovered will be used in terrible ways," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D.Wash.), who heads the Congressional Progressive Caucus. It's almost impossible to have a legitimate investigation.Many Democrats believe the executive branch is better equipped to investigate the origins of the virus than a divided Congress with a long list of things to do and a tight calendar.In response to GOP demands to hear about Covids origins, we believe that inquiries into this topic will be well served if entities have direct access to intelligence tools and diplomatic channel channels.The issue is becoming increasingly difficult for Democrats. The Thursday House Appropriations Markup of a 2022 Spending Bill turned sour when Republicans attempted to withhold funding for World Health Organization until more information was released about the organization's role in investigating a potential lab leak. Top Republicans invoked the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe cover-up earlier in the week when discussing Covids origins. They also argued for retaliatory actions against China, WHO, and other scientific organizations. Steve Scalise, the House GOP Whip (Republican from Louisiana). Publicly, Scalise questioned why Speaker Nancy Pelosi would cover up for China. Meanwhile, Elise Stefanik, Republican-N.Y., painted Democrats as communist sympathizers with China.This message resonates with the GOP base. A Morning Consult poll revealed that 70% of Republicans believe Covid was created in a laboratory, while only 32 percent of Democrats agree. The likelihood that Republicans heard about the lab leak theory was twice that of Democrats.This is forcing Democratic lawmakers to address the issue, even though it could lead to them losing their efforts to keep the spotlight focused on Trump's response.POLITICO was told by staffers representing the Democratic majority of the House Science Committee that public concern over the origins SARS-CoV-2 has been significant, and that this pressure has heightened the Committee's focus on the laboratory leak theory.According to aides, the committee will hold a hearing on this month's larger issue of how infectious disease emerges and how public health can be protected.POLITICO spoke to Chair Adam Schiff (D.Calif.), who said that while the House Intelligence Committee is currently conducting its own review, the probe will be less focused on identifying the source of the pandemic and more on holding the U.S. Intelligence Community accountable for how it responded. He said that he shared his colleagues' concerns about igniting the flames of lab leakage.He said that there have been many discussions about how to ensure that intelligence is not politicized and that all viewpoints are considered.These efforts won't stop Republican complaints about Democratic stonewalling. Scalise stated to POLITICO, that the GOP wants every committee to hold a hearing. He also requested that officials such as Anthony Fauci, a federal infectious disease expert, and Francis Collins from the National Institutes of Health testify.The Senate is a place where Democrats want to avoid this type of optics and foster public confidence. They are joining Republicans in investigating Covid's origin and how the country can be better prepared for the next pandemic.Patty Murray, the chair of the Senate health committee (D-Wash.), and Richard Burr, ranking member (R.N.C.), have announced that their committee will launch an inquiry into a wide range of issues including where Covid is from and how to increase vaccination rates in rural areas. Separate resolution by the senators. Kirsten Gillibrand (D.N.Y.) & Roger Marshall (R.Kan.), which calls for the WHO to continue its investigation into the virus origins. This resolution was unanimously approved in May. Sens. And Sens.Menendez stated that the way our legislation was designed, with equal numbers of people appointed by each party to each commission, shows that it is not a witch hunt.POLITICO spoke to many Democratic lawmakers who said they are ambivalent about the necessity to investigate Covid’s source. They fear that it will distract from their efforts to concentrate on Trump's chaotic response. They are also worried that the attention will lead to conspiracy theories and anti Asian rhetoric, which have already been circulating around the possibility for a leak at the lab.Raskin stated, "I've been calling for you to investigate this for months." It is obviously less important than getting shots in the arm and getting people tested to find out the truth about the virus.
