<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1668181506038,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000168-ed8c-d9d9-a9ec-ffac26f80002","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1668181506038,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000168-ed8c-d9d9-a9ec-ffac26f80002","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_66024215", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1119467"} }); ","_id":"00000184-675d-da74-a1bd-6fdda9c00000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedThe future of any investigations into COVID-19’s origins hangs in the balance — just like control of Congress.
Republicans have long pushed to investigate how the virus spread throughout the world, but their ability to effectively scrutinize controversies such as U.S. funding of experiments at the Wuhan lab will hinge on whether they win majorities in the House and Senate.
HUNTER BIDEN REMAINS IN HOT SEAT AS GRASSLEY AND JOHNSON WIN REELECTION
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), a longtime foe of Dr. Anthony Fauci, won an easy reelection victory on Tuesday and spoke about a “red wave” in his victory speech — but the wave has slowed to more of a trickle.
Virus Outbreak China WHO Interview
“Thanks for coming out to Dr. Fauci’s retirement party!” Paul declared. “When I return to the Senate, as chairman, I promise you this — the COVID cover-up will end. And I promise you this — I will subpoena every last scrap of paper from our friend Dr. Fauci.… As chairman, I will not only hold Dr. Fauci accountable, we will finally investigate why your tax dollars were sent to fund dangerous research in Wuhan and we will make sure it never happens again.”
But whether Paul becomes a committee chairman remains up in the air days after the midterm elections.
The Senate is currently split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats, with the Democrats controlling the chamber because of Vice President Kamala Harris holding the tiebreaking vote. The Georgia race is headed to a runoff and close races in Nevada and Arizona have not been called yet.
The House of Representatives is currently under Democratic control, and Republican control of the chamber is not yet a done deal.
“When we take over in November, I will be chairman of a committee and I will have subpoena power,” Paul promised during a May rally in Kentucky. “And we will get to the bottom of where this virus came from.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said at the rally that Paul could become chairman of “one of the most important committees in the Senate — in charge of health, education, labor, and pensions.” Senate Health Committee Republicans released a report last month concluding that “the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 that resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic was most likely the result of a research-related incident.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans have also said a lab leak is COVID-19’s most likely origin.
