{"id":2071903,"date":"2023-10-18T14:58:05","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T18:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-nih-nominee-grilled-over-covid-19-origins-investigation\/"},"modified":"2023-10-18T15:00:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T19:00:07","slug":"biden-nih-nominee-grilled-over-covid-19-origins-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-nih-nominee-grilled-over-covid-19-origins-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden&#8217;s NIH nominee questioned on COVID-19 origins probe"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbiden-nih-nominee-grilled-over-covid-19-origins-investigation%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2071903&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Sen. Mike Braun Grills NIH Director Nominee on COVID-19 Investigation<\/h2>\n<p>During a heated hearing, Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) \u200cinterrogated \u2063Monica Bertagnolli, President Joe Biden&#8217;s nominee for director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about her commitment to cooperate with\u2064 the House of Representatives investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 \u200bpandemic.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;I can reassure you that I take Congress&#8217;s responsibility for oversight for the NIH \u2062and, if confirmed, my responsibility as director \u200dof NIH\u2064 to be\u200b compliant regarding that oversight extremely seriously,&#8221; said Bertagnolli.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Bertagnolli, currently serving as the director of the National Cancer Institute at\u200c NIH, was nominated by Biden in May for her \u200dexceptional work on the president&#8217;s &#8220;Cancer Moonshot&#8221; \u200binitiative.<\/p>\n<p>The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee finally held \u200dthe confirmation hearing for\u200d Bertagnolli after Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) delayed health-related confirmations until the Biden administration addressed\u2062 the issue of high prescription drug\u2063 prices.<\/p>\n<p>During\u2063 the hearing, Braun specifically questioned Bertagnolli about her willingness to cooperate with the House Select\u2062 Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which is investigating David Morens, a top aide to Anthony Fauci,\u200b the former head of the \u2062National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.<\/p>\n<p>The\u2064 subcommittee&#8217;s investigation into Morens began in June when it discovered emails revealing that he used his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/andrew-cuomo-was-offered-more-than-4-million-for-pandemic-leadership-book-report-says\/\" title=\"Andrew Cuomo Was Offered More Than  Million For Pandemic \u2018Leadership\u2019 Book, Report Says\">personal email account<\/a> for official NIH business to avoid scrutiny. Morens even admitted to deleting unfavorable \u200binformation to prevent it from reaching the\u200c media.<\/p>\n<p>After the subcommittee&#8217;s requests for information went unanswered, they issued a subpoena to acting NIH Director Lawrence Tabak. The subpoena demanded details of\u2062 the agency&#8217;s internal investigation into Morens&#8217;s conduct.<\/p>\n<p>In response to Braun&#8217;s questioning, Bertagnolli\u2063 pledged to be accountable, transparent, and work with Congress to address these crucial issues if confirmed. She also assured the committee that she had \u2062never communicated with Morens \u2063and would never use a personal email address for NIH \u200bbusiness.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the hearing, Bertagnolli emphasized her commitment to collaborating with Congress to improve medical and health \u2063outcomes through research.<\/p>\n<p>Acting NIH Director Lawrence\u2063 Tabak has been serving in his role for almost a year since former Director Francis Collins stepped down. Both \u200dTabak and Collins are scheduled for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-investigate-whistleblower-claim-that-cia-paid-investigators-to-dismiss-lab-leak-theory\/\" title=\"GOP probes whistleblower's allegation: CIA allegedly funded investigators to dismiss lab leak theory.\">voluntary transcribed interviews<\/a> with the select subcommittee on COVID-19 \u200dorigins in early December.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> \u200d How does Monica Bertagnolli plan\u2062 to address the \u200dallegations of withholding information by the NIH and provide \u2063more \u200daccountability in the investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  He study and treatment of cancer. However, the focus of the hearing quickly\u2064 shifted to the ongoing investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has become a \u2062highly contentious and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/floridas-education-bill-is-an-attempt-to-ensure-intellectual-freedom-on-college-campuses-could-one-provision-make-the-whole-thing-backfire\/\" title=\"Florida\u2019s Education Bill Is An Attempt To Ensure Intellectual Freedom On College Campuses. Could One Provision Make The Whole Thing Backfire?\">politically charged topic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Braun began the hearing by\u2063 emphasizing the importance of\u200b understanding \u2064the \u2064origins of the virus and holding accountable\u2062 any individuals or organizations that may have contributed to its spread. He expressed concern that the NIH had not been\u2063 fully\u2063 cooperative with the House investigation thus far, and questioned whether Bertagnolli would be willing\u2063 to provide the \u2064necessary information and transparency.<\/p>\n<p>In response, Bertagnolli emphasized her commitment to transparency and accountability. She acknowledged the importance of the investigation and emphasized that as the\u2062 nominee for director of the NIH,\u2064 she would ensure full cooperation with Congress and other relevant agencies. She stated\u2064 unequivocally that she takes her responsibility \u2063for oversight\u200c seriously and promised to provide any requested \u2063information to facilitate a thorough investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the hearing, Sen. Braun pressed \u2062Bertagnolli on specific aspects of the investigation, including the funding of the Wuhan Institute of Virology and potential ties to gain-of-function research. While Bertagnolli was careful not to speculate on specific allegations, she \u2062reiterated her commitment to thoroughness and transparency in any investigation, including providing necessary \u200ddocumentation and facilitating access \u200bto relevant \u200cindividuals and institutions.<\/p>\n<p>The questioning became increasingly heated as Sen. Braun \u200baccused the NIH of withholding information and called for more accountability. He argued that\u200d the American public deserves to know the truth about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to prevent future outbreaks and protect national security. Bertagnolli, however, maintained her stance\u2064 of cooperation and highlighted the importance of scientific integrity and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/boston-university-epidemiologist-blasted-after-downplaying-school-closures-normal-life-for-most-of-human-history\/\" title=\"Boston University Epidemiologist Blasted After Downplaying School Closures: \u2018Normal Life For Most Of Human History\u2019\">evidence-based decision-making<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The hearing underscored the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the investigation into the origins of COVID-19. Senators\u200d from both parties expressed frustration and called for more transparency and\u200d cooperation from the NIH. The outcome of\u200c the \u200chearing remains to be seen, but it is evident that the issue will continue to\u200d be a\u2064 source of intense scrutiny and debate.<\/p>\n<p>As the nomination process for Bertagnolli moves forward, it is crucial that her commitment \u2062to cooperation and\u200d accountability be thoroughly\u200b assessed. The investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic is of utmost importance, not only for understanding\u200b past events but also \u2062for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-nih-nominee-grilled-over-covid-19-origins-investigation\/\" title=\"Biden's NIH nominee questioned on COVID-19 origins probe\">informing future \u2064public health strategies<\/a> and ensuring the safety and well-being of the American \u2063people.<\/p>\n<p>It is \u2064essential that \u2064the \u200dNIH, under Bertagnolli&#8217;s potential leadership, prioritize transparency and provide all necessary information to support a thorough investigation. Regardless \u200dof one&#8217;s political affiliation, the\u200c pursuit of truth\u2062 and scientific inquiry should be the guiding principle for all\u2063 involved.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, Sen. Mike Braun&#8217;s \u2064grilling of Monica\u2062 Bertagnolli during the hearing for her nomination\u200c as director of the NIH \u200dshed light on the ongoing investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there are clear divisions and differing opinions, it is crucial\u2063 that all parties prioritize transparency,\u2064 cooperation, and the pursuit of \u200btruth. The American \u200bpublic deserves answers, and the \u2064nomination of Bertagnolli presents an\u200b opportunity \u200dto ensure that the NIH is fully committed to providing those answers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) questioned Monica Bertagnolli, President Biden&#8217;s nominee for NIH director, on her commitment to cooperate with the House investigation into COVID-19 origins if confirmed. He sought reassurance that she acknowledges Congress&#8217;s duty in this matter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2071904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2071903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2071903"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2071903\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2071904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2071903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2071903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2071903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}