Milwaukee City Wire

Senator Ron Johnson has demanded that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra turn over unredacted records regarding the origins of COVID-19, including emails from Dr. Anthony Fauci. In a letter sent to Secretary Becerra, Sen. Johnson expressed frustration over the lack of response from HHS to a records request made nearly three years ago.

Sen. Johnson highlighted that HHS has failed to comply with the legal requirement to fully produce the requested information, stating, "It is well past time for HHS to meet its legal obligation and produce, without redactions, the approximately 50 pages of priority records my office identified in 2021." He emphasized that both Congress and the American people expect Secretary Becerra to fulfill his responsibility.

During a hearing in March 2023, Secretary Becerra acknowledged that the senators are entitled to the information by law, yet HHS has still not provided the requested records. Sen. Johnson reiterated, "You previously testified that I am 'absolutely entitled' to that information. Congress and the American people expect you to fulfill your responsibility and live up to your word."

In response to the heavy redactions in the records, Sen. Johnson requested Secretary Becerra to provide a privilege log detailing the specific reasons for the redactions. Additionally, he asked for a phone call or in-person meeting to discuss the steps HHS will take to respond to all outstanding information requests, including the June 2021 letter.

The senator's efforts to obtain unredacted records on COVID-19 origins and Dr. Fauci's emails demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability within the government. The full text of Sen. Johnson's letter to Sec. Becerra can be found on the Senate's official website.