Fauci hearing - live: Doctor calls Senator Marshall ‘moron’ on hot mic and says Rand Paul ‘kindles crazies’

The top coronavirus experts in the Biden administration have testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services, were questioned by lawmakers about the federal response to new variants of Covid-19.

The hearing comes as health policymakers say they believe the administration needs an urgent reset in the way it is approaching the new realities of the pandemic.

Dr Fauci is the target of a video released on Monday evening by Project Veritas claiming that he was involved in research projects related to coronaviruses by the Wuhan Institute of Virology that were deemed too risky by the Department of Defense, emails cited by the group claim.

In his testimony on Tuesday, Dr Fauci angrily dismissed personal attacks on him by right-wing lawmakers, including those related to the emails.

Key points

• Fauci tears into Rand Paul

• ‘Urgent need’ for super vaccine as other variants emerge

• Oversight Committee GOP write to Health & Human Services Secretary

• A moment of bipartisanship

• Incredulous Fauci mocks GOP senator

Senator Tuberville asked about ivermectin

22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Tommy Tuberville asked Dr Fauci why his Alabama constituents shouldn’t take ivermectin instead of the Covid-19 therapeutic Paxlovid, arguing it’s cheaper and has been around for longer.

Dr Fauci lays out data showing ivermectin has shown no conclusive benefits to people with a Covid-19 infection.

Fauci target of campaign of disinformation and distortion

22:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Tina Smith: “Dr. Fauci has been the target of a concerted and coordinated campaign of disinformation and distortion ... I think we just need to be honest here. This is being done by some members of the Republican Party that are using it for fundraising.”

CDC advises Americans to ‘avoid’ travel to Canada

21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The US Centers for Disease Control on Monday advised Americans to “avoid” travel to Canada as coronavirus cases, particularly of the Omicron variant, continue to sweep the continent.

The CDC raised its warning level to Four – the highest it has – regarding travel to the United States’ northern neighbour.

Sheila Flynn reports.

Here’s what the CDC says about Americans going to Canada

Voices: Fauci is showing his teeth. Why he didn’t do so earlier?

21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Buncombe writes:

Only one question truly springs to mind: Why didn’t Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, bite back earlier?

Fauci is showing his teeth. The only question is why he didn’t do so earlier

United Airlines CEO: Vaccine mandate ended staff deaths

20:49 , Oliver O'Connell

The CEO of United Airlines has told his staff in an open letter that the company’s vaccine mandate has ended the “weekly” deaths that previously plagued the organisation.

There are still 3,000 United employees who are infected with the virus, but Scott Kirby told his staff that “zero of our vaccinated employees are currently hospitalised”.

“Prior to our vaccine requirement, tragically, more than one United employee on average *per week* was dying from Covid,” Mr Kirby wrote.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

United CEO says vaccine mandate has brought 'weekly' staff deaths to an end

CDC Covid data tracker weekly review

20:19 , Oliver O'Connell

Covid-19 cases continue to increase rapidly across the United States. This surge is driven by the Omicron variant, which CDC’s Nowcast model projects may account for approximately 9 per cent of cases.

On 5 January, 705,264 new cases were reported, more than doubling the January 2021 peak. The entire country is now experiencing high levels of community transmission. Hospitalisations are also on the rise. While early data suggest Omicron infections might be less severe than those of other variants, the increases in cases and hospitalisations are expected to stress the healthcare system in the coming weeks.

Given what we currently know about Covid-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC recently updated its quarantine and isolation recommendations for the public.

If you come into close contact with someone with Covid-19, you should quarantine if you are in one of the following groups:

• You are ages 18 or older and completed the primary series of recommended vaccine, but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible.

• You received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (completing the primary series) over 2 months ago and have not received a recommended booster shot.

• You are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series.

If you have confirmed or suspected Covid-19, regardless of your vaccination status, stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home and in public for an additional 5 days. Testing may be used to help determine when to end your isolation period.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself from Covid-19 and reduce its impact on our communities. Everyone should get vaccinated and boosted as soon as they are eligible, including people who have already had Covid-19.

There have been 60.2 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US since the start of the pandemic. A total of more than 835,300 Americans have died from the virus.

Incredulous Fauci mocks GOP senator

19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

NIAID director Dr Anthony Fauci was heard mocking a Republican senator at Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions after the senator in question sparred with Mr Fauci regarding whether his financial disclosure was publicly available.

John Bowden reports.

Fauci caught on hot mic calling senator ‘a moron’ after heated questioning

A moment of bipartisanship

19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

They are rare, but they do happen. As proceedings kicked off this morning, Republican Senator Richard Burr gave Democrat Senator Tim Kaine an orange, a blanket, and a Dr Pepper in case he gets trapped in the snow again as he was last week.

18:59 , Oliver O'Connell

After thanking the four witnesses for their testimony, Senator Murray gavels the session to a close.

18:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Richard Burr says he respects all four of the experts testifying today and says he is sorry for what Dr Fauci and his family are going through.

He adds that they stand by willing to help with whatever they need to combat the pandemic, but will require full accountability.

‘What a moron'

18:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch out for those hot mics... Dr Fauci is heard calling Senator Marshall “a moron” after their last exchange.

Fauci and Marshall spar over financial disclosure forms

18:36 , Oliver O'Connell

“You are getting amazingly wrong information,” says Dr Fauci when challenged by Senator Marshall over his financial disclosure forms, which although public record, Mr Marshall’s office is unable to locate.

The pair have sparred twice during today’s hearing.

Senator Murray interjected that Dr Fauci’s financial disclosure forms are publicly available and he can provide them should Mr Marshall like to see them.

Paul ‘kindles the crazies’ against him, says Fauci

18:29 , Oliver O'Connell

Regarding Rand Paul’s attacks against him, Dr Fauci told the committee: “What happens when he gets out and accuses me of things that are completely untrue is that all of a sudden that kindles the crazies out there and I have threats upon my life, harassment of my family and my children with obscene phone calls, because people are lying about me.”

Fauci: Peak of Omicron will not be uniform across US

18:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Burr asked about the differing experience of South Africa and Israel with Omicron — the former saw a quick, sharp peak, the latter has seen a more prolonged outbreak.

Dr Fauci said there are many variants to consider, and similarly, the US will not see a uniform peak experience as it will vary from state to state depending on the percentage of vaccinated people and what the prior impact of other variants has been.

Greatest Christmas gift of 2021

18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

This was probably true in many households last month.

'Most people are going to get Covid’

17:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Janet Woodcock: ”I think it’s hard to process what’s actually happening right now, which is: most people are going to get COVID. And what we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function, transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens.”

KN95 and N95 masks - what you need to know

17:35 , Oliver O'Connell

As the US fights to slow the spread of Covid-19’s Omicron variant, reports have surfaced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering recommending that those who can should wear a higher standard of mask when in public – specifically the KN95 and N95 masks that have been in high demand for the last two years.

Andrew Naughtie reports.

KN95 and N95 masks: Which does the CDC recommend, and can you reuse them?

Romney defends Fauci

17:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Mitt Romney defends Dr Fauci from the attacks of senators Rand Paul and Roger Marshall, saying he appreciates the government scientists, but adds that they also can make mistakes.

In one of the more practical moments, Mr Romney asks for a definition of being “exposed” to the virus. He adds that someone in the room might have Omicron now, so should they all be tested.

Dr Fauci says being exposed is close contact with someone who has the virus for 15 minutes or more.

Mr Romney also criticsed the ranking members of both parties for taking so long with their opening statements, noting that it should not take 25 minutes for questioning to get underway.

Fauci tears into Rand Paul

17:02 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Anthony Fauci came to blows with Rand Paul during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, accusing the lawmaker of “distorting everything about me”.

Tensions between the pair boiled over as Dr Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, joined other top coronavirus experts in the Biden administration testifying before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Megan Sheets reports.

Senator Marshall asks Fauci about emails cited by Project Veritas

16:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas asks Dr Fauci about the emails cited in the new video put out by Project Veritas. The doctor rejects the interpretation of the contents of the email.

“It really pains me to have to just point out to the American public, how absolutely incorrect you are,” Dr Fauci tells the senator. “You are completely and unequivocally incorrect.”

After a tense back-and-forth between the pair, Chair Patty Murray said that the committee would not allow the hearing to be derailed by personal attacks.

‘Urgent need’ for super vaccine as other variants emerge

16:32 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Anthony Fauci warned on Tuesday at a Senate committee hearing that the US faced an “urgent need” for a so-called super vaccine that would be more effective at preventing new variants of Covid-19 and other coronaviruses.

“Looking ahead in the context of the inevitable continual emergence of new variants, the importance of developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine, namely one that would be effective against all SARS-COVID-2 variants, and ultimately against all coronaviruses, becomes even more apparent,” he told the senators.

John Bowden reports.

Fauci warns of ‘urgent need’ for super vaccine as other variants emerge

Fauci slams Paul for using pandemic for political gain

16:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Fauci says Senator Paul is using a catastrophic epidemic for political again.

He cites the recent arrest of a man who was travelling to Washington, DC armed with an AR-15 to kill him and holds up a screenshot of Mr Paul’s website with a banner headline of “Fire Fauci” saying the senator is fuelling this kind of extremism.

Senator Rand Paul and Fauci clash

16:12 , Oliver O'Connell

“There you go again, you just do the same thing every hearing,” says Dr Fauci, adding that Senator Rand Paul is distorting the content of an email in which he says he attacked scientists that he disagreed with.

Dr Fauci adds that Mr Paul is attacking him personally.

16:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Fauci says unvaccinated 17 times more likely to need hospitalisation

16:03 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Tim Kaine asks Dr Fauci for an update on how many vaccinated versus unvaccinated people are ending up in hospital.

Dr Fauci replies the unvaccinated are 10 times more likely to get infected, 17 times more likely to need hospitalisation, and have a 20 times greater chance of death… than those who are vaccinated.

Dr Walensky once again lays out quarantine rules

15:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Walensky is asked about the rules for vaccinated people who have been exposed to the virus.

As she said in her opening statement you do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms, but should wear a mask, get tested, and avoid travel until after day 10.

15:49 , Oliver O'Connell

Dawn O’Connell says the rise of Omicron put a significant strain on testing capacity.

Department Of Health and Human Services has been working with test suppliers to deal with supply chain problems.

15:42 , Oliver O'Connell

FDA Acting Commissioner Woodcock speaks about the availability of rapid Covid-19 tests.

There are now 15 types of rapid tests authorised by FDA. A new program is being put in place to accelerate the review of these tests.

Dr Fauci gives opening statement about NIAID’s role

15:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Fauci removes his mask to speak — CDC director Walensky stayed double-masked during her statement.

He says that boosters will play major role in protecting the vast majority of people from severe disease during the Omicron surge.

Dr Fauci adds that there is an urgent need for a so-called super vaccine, that would be effective against most or all coronaviruses. He calls them pan-coronavirus vaccines.

Dr Walensky gives opening statement

15:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Dr Rochelle Walensky begins her opening statement by highlighting what has been achieved, how vaccines have been rolled out to younger age groups, and how booster dose availability has been expanded.

She spends time walking the senators through the advice regarding isolation and quarantining when exposed to the virus.

She notes: “Omicron is likely not to be the last curveball this virus throws at us,” but adds that we have the tools to respond.

15:31 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Burr said he does not have an issue with the science behind the Biden administration’s response to Covid-19, but he does have an issue with its communications strategy, saying that it has created confusion and distrust among the American people.

Senator Burr says Biden administration ‘squandered’ advantage over virus

15:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Senator Richard Burr begins his opening remarks by saying Joe Biden came into office pledging to “crush” Covid and has failed to do so.

He adds that he was “lucky” to take office right as vaccines were developed and “squandered” many opportunities.

Mr Burr is particularly critical of the messaging on booster vaccinations, which he says created “mass confusion”.

‘What can my constituents expect to improve this week?'

15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Murray tells Biden officials she wants concrete information today so that Americans don’t face “another year of uncertainty”.

“What can my constituents expect to improve this week? The week after?”

Oversight Committee GOP write to Health & Human Services Secretary

15:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Representatives James Comer and Jim Jordan have written to Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra requesting a transcribed interview of Dr Fauci regarding the emails published by Project Veritas.

Senator Murray begins proceedings

15:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Patty Murray gets the hearing underway noting the huge surge in Omicron cases over the past month and the tools available to counter its spread — principally vaccines and high-quality masks.

She notes the difficulties in finding tests and confusing advice about isolation when exposed to Covid-19 or as a result of a positive test.

Senator Murray says this is a particularly difficult time for schools and parents.

Lawmakers repost Project Veritas video

14:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Arizona lawmaker Paul Gosar is among the right-wing figures to have pounced on the latest claims by Project Veritas regarding Dr Fauci’s role in research related to coronaviruses prior to the pandemic.

Mr Gosar describes the allegations as “jaw-dropping”.

Committee members

14:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions includes a number of leading figures from both parties. In previous appearances, Dr Fauci has clashed with Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

Majority membership by rank (Democrats)

Patty Murray (WA) Bernie Sanders (VT) Robert P. Casey, Jr (PA) Tammy Baldwin (WI) Christopher S. Murphy (CT) Tim Kaine (VA) Maggie Hassan (NH) Tina Smith (MN) Jacky Rosen (NV) Ben Ray Luján (NM )John Hickenlooper (CO)

Minority membership by rank (Republicans)

Richard Burr (NC) Rand Paul, M.D. (KY) Susan Collins (ME) Bill Cassidy, M.D. (LA) Lisa Murkowski (AK) Mike Braun (IN) Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS) Tim Scott (SC) Mitt Romney (UT) Tommy Tuberville (AL) Jerry Moran (KS)

Senators to question Biden administration Covid-19 experts on Omicron response

14:39 , Oliver O'Connell

The Biden administration’s leading experts on the coronavirus pandemic are appearing before Senators today to answer questions about the response to new variants of Covid-19, including the recent surge in cases of Omicron.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions are:

Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesDr Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the Food and Drug AdministrationDawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services