Bowling Green Today

Dr. Rand Paul and a group of 18 senators have sent a follow-up letter to CIA Director William J. Burns, seeking information on whistleblower allegations concerning the investigation into the origins of COVID-19. The senators are requesting documents and communications related to the COVID Discovery Team's analysis, particularly on the virus's potential origins in a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

The whistleblower, described as a senior-level current Agency officer, provided crucial information to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The whistleblower disclosed that the COVID Discovery Team, composed of seven officers with scientific expertise, mostly believed that COVID-19 originated from a lab in Wuhan. However, the most senior member of the team held a dissenting opinion, suggesting a zoonotic origin for the virus.

The senators expressed concerns about the CIA's handling of the investigation, especially in light of a previous report stating the Agency's inability to determine the precise origin of the pandemic. Dr. Paul and his colleagues emphasized the importance of the CIA being responsive to congressional oversight requests, regardless of the committees involved.

In the letter, the senators reiterated their requests for various documents and communications related to the COVID Discovery Team's work, including interactions with other government agencies. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the CIA's analysis and conclusions regarding the origins of COVID-19.

Joining Dr. Rand Paul in sending the letter are Senators Roger Wicker, Ted Budd, Cynthia Lummis, Markwayne Mullin, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Bill Cassidy, Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Bill Hagerty, Mike Braun, Ted Cruz, Tommy Tuberville, Josh Hawley, Roger Marshall, Eric Schmitt, Ron Johnson, Susan Collins, and Lindsey Graham.

This follow-up letter comes after a previous request made in September 2023, which did not result in the CIA providing the requested information. The senators are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.