It's wrong and fiscally unwise—and will set children back at a time that they need support.

America's adversaries, like China, Russia, and Iran, love it when Americans are divided and distracted.

This Committee should be doing more to fight for those answers but, instead, has wasted significant time and taxpayer money fueling conspiracy theories and ignoring the importance of preparing for the next deadly pandemic.

I regret that many of the conspiracies have smeared you, Dr. Fauci, as you and our top scientists did everything to keep Americans safe during the deadly days of COVID-19.

Unfortunately, Energy and Commerce Republicans refused to work with us on this critical legislation.

We have not learned anything more about the origins of COVID-19, but we have learned a lot about NIH's diligent work.

Instead, they doubled down on ideological partisanship and refused to work together on bipartisan solutions.

Overall, this Congress' effort to examine the cause of the pandemic has brought more heat than light.

More people died in Florida from COVID-19 after a safe and effective vaccine was available, and, I believe, largely due to the state's disinformation campaign.

Republicans in my committee refused to move consensus legislation forward.

I hope that we can use today's hearing to learn how Congress can be a better partner to NIH.