Senate Republicans aim to complete the defunding of the Wuhan Lab, months after Biden’s initial claim
The Wuhan Institute / Getty Images
Months After Biden Claimed to Defund Wuhan Lab, Senate Republicans Move To Finish The Job
The Chinese lab widely believed to be the origin of the coronavirus continued to receive federal funds even after the White House announced their funding had been cut off. However, Senator Joni Ernst is determined to change that.
Ernst Takes Action
Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, has attached an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. This amendment, which was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, prohibits the Department of Defense from providing funds to the Wuhan Institute of Virology lab or its U.S. partner, EcoHealth Alliance. Despite the Biden administration’s announcement in July that the Wuhan Institute of Virology had been defunded, the reality was that only funding from the Department of Health and Human Services had been blocked.
Ernst expressed her disbelief at the fact that the Wuhan lab had multiple avenues to receive federal funding, including from the Department of Defense. She called it “absolutely ridiculous” and “unbelievable.”
An Audit to Uncover the Truth
Ernst’s amendment also requires the Pentagon to investigate whether any of the $46 million it has allocated to EcoHealth Alliance since 2008 has been directed to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The measure mandates a 10-year audit to determine the extent of money diverted to the Wuhan lab and other Chinese institutions for the study of dangerous viruses.
Prior to the pandemic, EcoHealth Alliance provided $600,000 in taxpayer funds to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for research on viruses closely related to the one that causes COVID-19. This collaboration involved working closely with Chinese citizens who were the first known cases of the disease in 2019, including a researcher specializing in modifying coronaviruses to bind to human cells. The funds granted by EcoHealth Alliance originated from grants from the National Institutes of Health.
The Need for Accountability
The Government Accountability Office highlighted in April that the lack of comprehensive reporting makes it impossible to determine the full extent of federal funding delivered to Chinese entities. Ernst emphasized the importance of an audit to ensure transparency and prevent funds from being used against the United States. She stated that the Department of Defense must be held accountable for where the money is going.
How does the ongoing allocation of federal funds to the Wuhan Lab despite claims of defunding raise concerns about transparency and accountability?
Lab or any other Chinese entities that have ties to the lab. The move comes months after President Biden announced that funding for the Wuhan Lab had been cut off.
The amendment proposed by Senator Ernst sends a clear message that the United States will not support institutions that may have played a role in the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. The Wuhan Lab has been the subject of intense scrutiny and speculation regarding its potential involvement in the outbreak of the virus.
The fact that federal funds were still being allocated to the lab despite claims of defunding raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. Senator Ernst’s amendment aims to rectify this situation and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to fund institutions that could pose a threat to public health and national security.
The decision to attach the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act highlights the importance of addressing this issue within the broader context of national defense. The origins of the coronavirus pandemic have had a profound impact on global security and the economy, making it crucial to take decisive action.
While the amendment has been passed by the Senate, it still needs to be approved by the House of Representatives before it can become law. This bipartisan effort to defund the Wuhan Lab underscores the widespread recognition that accountability is essential in preventing future pandemics and protecting public health.
It is worth noting that the investigation into the origins of the coronavirus is ongoing, and it is vital to remain objective and open to evidence as it emerges. The goal should not be to assign blame, but rather to ensure that lessons are learned and necessary measures are taken to prevent similar crises in the future.
In addition to the amendment proposed by Senator Ernst, there are calls for further investigations into the origins of the coronavirus, including the possibility of a lab leak. These investigations should be conducted independently and with international cooperation to arrive at an accurate understanding of what transpired.
As the world continues to grapple with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it is imperative to address the issue of the lab’s funding and potential involvement. The proposed amendment by Senator Ernst represents a significant step towards achieving accountability and preventing future risks to public health.
In conclusion, months after President Biden claimed to defund the Wuhan Lab, Senate Republicans have taken action to finish the job. Senator Joni Ernst’s amendment, passed by the Senate, seeks to prohibit the Department of Defense from providing funds to the lab or any other Chinese entities connected to it. This move emphasizes the need for accountability and transparency in addressing the origins of the pandemic. As the amendment awaits approval by the House of Representatives, it is essential to continue investigations into the origins of the coronavirus independently and with international cooperation. The goal is to prevent future crises and protect public health and national security.
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