Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at the first full Senate committee hearing on the origins of COVID-19, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, examined and made the case for a lab leak. The bipartisan hearing, entitled “Origins of COVID-19: An Examination of Available Evidence,” featured scientists who presented evidence based on their professional expertise, marking a crucial step toward uncovering the truth about COVID-19’s origins. This hearing is the first of a series as part of the Committee’s joint investigation into threats posed by high-risk biological research and technology in the U.S. and abroad.

During the hearing, Dr. Paul presented key pieces of evidence supporting the likelihood that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). Dr. Paul referenced recent assessments by the Department of Energy (DOE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which emphasize the risky nature of coronavirus research at WIV and suggest that the pandemic most likely resulted from a lab leak. He also noted that three WIV scientists reportedly fell ill with COVID-like symptoms in the fall of 2019, further supporting this theory.

Dr. Steven Quay, a witness at the hearing, highlighted safety issues at WIV and pointed out that over 400 animals from a wet market were tested for SARS-CoV-2, with none found infected.

Throughout the hearing, Dr. Paul showcased concerning conduct within Dr. Anthony Fauci's inner circle, including contradictory statements by Dr. Robert Garry regarding the origins of COVID-19.

Another witness, Dr. Richard Ebright, criticized the Proximal Origin paper for downplaying the lab leak theory without proper research to substantiate its conclusions.

Dr. Paul remains steadfast in his initiative to uncover the truth and implement necessary safeguards to prevent future pandemics.

View Ranking Member’s opening statement here; part one of his questioning here; and part two here.

Opening remarks as delivered below:

"Today, we are here to examine one of the most critical and debated questions of our time: Did COVID-19 originate in a lab? To answer this question, let’s revisit early discussions about virus origins revealed through FOIA litigation."

Kristian Andersen wrote: “the lab escape version... is so friggin’ likely... because they were already doing this type of work.”

Ian Lipkin stressed: “nightmare... given bat coronavirus research pursued in Wuhan.”

Bob Garry said: “[I] really can’t think... how this gets accomplished in nature.” According to Garry: “it’s not crackpot to suggest this could have happened.”

Ralph Baric admitted: “So they [Wuhan Institute] have a very large collection... proximity is a problem.”

Federal court orders reveal even Dr. Fauci privately acknowledged concerns about gain-of-function research just days before commissioning Proximal Origin paper.

Despite private doubts, these experts publicly dismissed lab leak theory as conspiracy.

In their Proximal Origin paper: “we do not believe any laboratory-based scenario is plausible.” Privately saying one thing; publicly another. Media parroted narrative; social media censored discussion labeling it misinformation stifling open discourse.

Cover-up extended beyond public statements; federal agencies withheld crucial information from Congress/public.

For instance:

Dr. David Morens deleted emails containing valuable insights into early discussions.

ODNI failed to comply with law passed unanimously declassifying information.

HHS/NIH have not produced documents related to gain-of-function requested nearly a year ago.

Deliberate prolonged effort deceiving committee on certain gain-of-function experiments withheld by agencies facing resistance every step.

Today’s hearing aims discovering truth; preponderance evidence indicates potential lab origin though viruses came from animals before but no animal reservoir or handlers with antibiotics seen now.

Discussion long overdue after over three years asking; great having scientists debating both sides today hoping for spirited debate.

Thank you.

U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs

340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

(202) 224-2627