The House GOP has introduced legislation that would prohibit Dr. Anthony Fauci from holding any future federal position, following his recent appearance before a Senate committee.
During a hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than one hundred times, prompting criticism from Republican lawmakers.
Representative Rich McCormick argued that refusal to answer congressional questions should justify dismissal, comparing the situation to an employee refusing to explain a cash register discrepancy. He presented the proposal, known as the STOP the SWAMP Act.
The bill would bar individuals from federal employment if they decline to answer specific questions from lawmakers or are convicted of perjury. It also authorizes Congress to refer witnesses for criminal prosecution when information is unlawfully withheld.
Fauci currently faces no criminal charges and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
The committee chair indicated that the panel will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against Fauci based on his testimony.
A diary kept by Fauci during the COVID‑19 pandemic was released, revealing his reflections on the virus’s origins and his perceived influence on policies such as school closures.
Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 until 2022 and was a prominent figure in the federal response to the pandemic.
