Official government actions, announcements, or legislative records

House Report: COVID-19 Likely Wuhan Lab Leak Linked to U.S.-Funded Research

Dec 3, 2024, 12:31 AM

The U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic released its final report on December 2, 2024, concluding that COVID-19 most likely originated from a laboratory leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. The comprehensive report, exceeding 500 pages, is the culmination of a two-year investigation into the pandemic that has claimed over 1.1 million American lives. The report indicates that U.S. taxpayer dollars, funneled through organizations such as EcoHealth Alliance, were used to fund gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab. It criticizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for lack of oversight and transparency, noting that the Department of Justice secretly investigated EcoHealth Alliance. The committee asserts that the lab leak theory is "not a conspiracy theory" and emphasizes the need for accountability. The report also criticizes public health responses, stating that measures such as mask mandates, social distancing, and lockdowns were "not based on science" and caused more harm than good. It highlights the devastating impact of prolonged school closures on children's education and development. Furthermore, the report uncovers significant mismanagement of pandemic relief funds, revealing that over $200 billion were lost to fraud and waste. It notes that public health officials have lost public trust due to these failures. The committee calls for accountability from officials involved, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Peter Daszak, asserting that they should "never again" receive taxpayer funding. The committee emphasizes the need to restore public confidence in health institutions and urges for improved preparedness for future pandemics.