Report date 2026-07-29

The COVID-19 Research Record

Hearings, documents, and coverage — with every claim linked to primary evidence.

Today's lead

July 29, 2026
HSGAC hearing: Testimony of Anthony Fauci

Sworn testimony as sole witness before HSGAC, ~3 hours. In his opening statement Fauci announced he would invoke the Fifth Amendment, citing members' public pledges to prosecute him and the release of his diary; he then declined substantially all questions on advice of counsel. His attorney David Schertler was removed from the hearing room at Chairman Paul's direction. Gavel-to-gavel recording and full transcript are hosted in the media library; GPO transcript pending.

Standings

Where the contested points sit — both sides, in their own words

All 15 contentions

Gain-of-function definitions

Paul position

EcoHealth/WIV chimeric coronavirus work unequivocally met the 2014 funding-pause definition of gain-of-function of concern (citing Richard Ebright and related papers).

Fauci / NIH position

NIH did not fund gain-of-function at WIV under the operative P3CO / ePPP framework; bat viruses studied had not been shown to infect humans at approval time.

COVID-19 origins

Paul position

Evidence increasingly points to a lab-related incident; alleged cover-up of early lab concerns and U.S. funding links.

Fauci / NIH position

Natural origin more likely while favoring continued investigation; NIH collaboration with Chinese scientists was responsible surveillance of bat coronaviruses.

Public-health policy

Paul position

Fauci ignored contrary science on masks, schools, lockdowns, natural immunity, mandates, and early treatments; one-size-fits-all harm.

Fauci / NIH position

Paul misrepresented the science; recommendations followed evolving evidence; children and variants required caution.

On the desk

Start here

Every entry cites a primary source. Disputed points show both sides. Nothing here adjudicates the science.