News

Letter - Oversight and Investigations Updates


Mar 27, 2024
Letter

Chairs Rodgers and Duncan Condemn DOE’s New Building Codes That Will Worsen the Housing Affordability Crisis

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm regarding the Department’s recent announcements to push for the adoption of expensive new energy codes. Rather than improve people’s lives and the environment, this latest rush-to-green policy is being implemented by the Biden administration to appease its radical environmental allies and will only increase housing prices and utility bills for millions of American. BACKGROUND: On September 19, 2023, DOE announced a $400 million program to implement new building energy codes.  On December 18, 2023, DOE announced another new $530 million program to implement new building energy codes.  The Biden administration has repeatedly advanced efforts to impose burdensome energy efficiency standards that would raise costs for Americans.  “Zero energy” building codes, which the grants may support, would force buildings to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in favor of more expensive, but less reliable electric options. KEY EXCERPTS: “In the U.S., building codes are predominately and appropriately regulated by State and local jurisdictions – not the Federal government. In recent years, activist environmental groups have begun pressuring international organizations, Federal agencies, States, and local jurisdictions to develop and enforce 'model' building energy codes that mandate expensive, one-sized-fits-all construction requirements and restrict fuel choices, even when it is not technologically feasible or cost-effective for the homeowner or tenant.  “State and local governments should not be forced to adopt international energy codes that set efficiency requirements, ban the use of natural gas, or require expensive electrification retrofits for appliances and electric vehicle charging. We are concerned that the DOE’s building codes grant programs will exacerbate the current housing affordability crisis and limit energy choices for the American people by encouraging the adoption of such one-sized-fits-all building codes that are not appropriate or cost-effective for all income levels and regions of the country.” CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 



Mar 27, 2024
Press Release

After Uncovering Earliest-Known SARS-CoV-2 Sequence, E&C Republicans Press NIH for Possible Additional GenBank COVID Submissions

Washington, D.C. — This past January, House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans revealed the earliest known SARS-CoV-2 sequence released outside of China, calling in to question China’s transparency . In a new letter , Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) have requested National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli provide the files of all SARS-CoV-2 submissions to GenBank prior to January 10, 2020. Any such data would better inform the Committee’s ongoing investigation into the origins of COVID-19. KEY LETTER EXCERPT :  “We were dismayed to learn that the NIH had received eight pages of genetic code and a nearly complete version of the genetic sequence for SARS-CoV-2, almost two weeks before the sequence was made public. However, the NIH apparently had no situational awareness in early January 2020 about this genetic code while high-level officials in our government were attempting to get the sequence, including directly from the Chinese government.  “The circumstances suggest the possibility that there may be other early versions of the SARS CoV-2 sequence that were submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI’s) Genbank but were not posted. Since such potential submissions could provide clues about the timing of the pandemic and how SARS CoV-2 was evolving at the beginning of the pandemic, there is a strong public interest to conduct further due diligence to check GenBank for such submissions.”  BACKGROUND :  January 17, 2024 : E&C Investigation Uncovers Earliest Known SARS-CoV-2 Sequence Released Outside of China  September 28, 2023 : E&C Republicans Signal Intent to Issue Subpoenas as Biden Admin Stonewalls Crucial Investigations into Government Health Agency Actions  August 9, 2023 : E&C Presses Unresponsive NIH for Answers about COVID Origins and Risky Research Projects  May 3, 2023 : E&C Republicans Seek Data and Documents from NIH on Early COVID Cases



Mar 21, 2024
Press Release

E&C Launches Bipartisan Oversight Inquiry into Organ Transplant Contractor and Implementation of Bipartisan Reforms

Committee seeks to save lives and ensure proper implementation of new bipartisan law Washington, D.C. — Bipartisan leaders of the Energy and Commerce Committee launched an investigation into United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the sole contractor responsible for operating the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). The Leaders are also seeking information from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) regarding ongoing reforms. The effort seeks to examine issues with OPTN’s prior operation and ensure proper implementation of the bipartisan Securing the U.S. Procurement and Transplantation Network Act , which was passed unanimously by the Committee and by Congress and signed into law by President Biden on September 22, 2023. The inquiry is led by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ); Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA); and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL). The Committee Leaders wrote to HRSA requesting information on how its OPTN contract solicitation plan will support fair and competitive practices during the contracting process, promote data transparency and patient safety, and ensure system security and operability. KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “ Errors and inefficiencies in OPTN management can have deadly consequences . A HRSA-funded study found that, while Americans die each day waiting for organ transplants, as few as one in five potential donor organs have been recovered. The Committee wants to ensure HRSA’s ability to manage the successful implementation of the OPTN Modernization Initiative to improve accountability and effectiveness of the system that does not currently meet the needs of patients .” The Committee leaders also sent questions to UNOS Chief Executive Officer Maureen McBride regarding UNOS’s system security and operability, issues with patient safety and equity, and conflict-of-interest concerns. KEY LETTER EXCERPT : “A 2021 report, by the United States Digital Service titled 'Lives Are at Stake' found myriad problems with UNOS technology, concluding that ‘[t]he OPTN contractor lacks sufficient technical capabilities to modernize their systems,’ ‘[t]he core systems are fragile,’ and the system uptime is ‘insufficient’ for a life-saving system that depends on consistent operation. “An August 2022 report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) OIG found multiple, basic cybersecurity failures by UNOS. The OIG report noted that UNOS’s policies and procedures for access controls, risk assessment, and system monitoring ‘were either in draft or did not exist.’ Given the highly sensitive nature of the personal patient data UNOS keeps, it is vital that strong and enforceable security measures are required and consistently met under any OPTN management contracts. “ UNOS has been the sole organization managing the OPTN, during which time concerning reports have emerged that the organ donation system has become unsafe , inequitable , self-dealing , and retaliatory . The Committee supports HRSA’s proposed reforms to make the contracting process truly competitive to help ensure patients are served by the best contractors for each function.” BACKGROUND : The OPTN is a unique public-private partnership that links all professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system.  Since its inception, the OPTN contract has only been awarded to a single contractor—UNOS.  To address concerns with the donation and transplantation system, Congress passed legislation led by Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), which was signed into law in 2023, to modernize OPTN and allow HRSA to run a competitive process to choose the best contractors for different national OPTN functions.  Additionally, HRSA has also announced a Modernization Initiative to improve accountability and effectiveness of the system in order to better meet the needs of patients.  Alarm over ignored patient safety concerns suggests that both HRSA and UNOS systematically downplayed or ignored critical patient safety concerns, risking lives and undermining trust in the national organ transplantation system.



Mar 20, 2024
Press Release

E&C Republicans Request Government Watchdog Audit to Further Account for Billions in Funding for Mental Health and 9-8-8 Program that Remain Unused

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) wrote to U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. In their letter , the Chairs request GAO examine how the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has administered about $8 billion in COVID-19 supplemental funding, as well as nearly $1 billion in new funds provided to launch the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (9-8-8 Program).  Following previous inquires by the Committee, SAMHSA finally released data that shows states and grantees have failed to use even half of all these funds.  BACKGROUND :  According to SAMHSA’s budget overview, SAMHSA’s annual budget authority for fiscal year 2021 was $5.8 billion, but it also received more than $7.8 billion in additional money through the COVID-19 supplemental funding.   Like other federal and state government agencies, SAMHSA quickly had to manage priorities and oversee this influx of money to address challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Last year, in three separate letters, the Chairs requested that SAMHSA provide a full accounting for how the influx of funding had been spent.  SAMHSA’s response showed that it had obligated most of this funding—$8.2 billion in COVID-19 supplemental funding and over $850 million for the 9-8-8 Program as of November 2023—primarily through grants to states and other grantees.   However, SAMHSA grantees only spent about $4 billion out of the nearly $8 billion in COVID-19 supplemental funding and only about $350 million for the 9-8-8 program.  KEY LETTER EXCERPT :  “SAMHSA’s response also shows that the states and other grantees had used less than half of these obligated amounts by that date. In light of this, we have concerns about the nature and pace of using these funds, as well as SAMHSA’s ability to administer and oversee this additional funding.”  The Chairs request GAO provide a report that addresses the following questions:  To what extent have states and other grantees used SAMHSA’s COVID-19 supplemental funding allocated to grants, and funding for the 9-8-8 Program?  What information does SAMHSA collect on how states and other grantees have used this grant funding?  What factors have affected states’ and other grantees’ ability to use these funds?  What information is available on how states and other grantees will use any remaining funds?  How has this additional grant funding affected SAMHSA’s administration and oversight, and what adjustments, if any, has SAMHSA made to accommodate the influx?  CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 



Mar 6, 2024
Press Release

House E&C, Senate EPW Leaders Press Biden over Attempt to Flout Law in Replacing Climate Czar John Kerry

Attempt to replace Kerry with John Podesta bypasses required Senate confirmation process Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) wrote to President Biden regarding his plan to flout Senate confirmation requirements in replacing outgoing climate czar John Kerry with John Podesta.  KEY EXCERPTS :  “Reports indicate John Podesta, who currently serves as a senior advisor to the President, will replace him as your primary envoy for international climate policy. However, in replacing Mr. Kerry, Mr. Podesta will serve under the title of Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy. This appears to be a blatant attempt to sidestep congressional oversight and install Mr. Podesta in a position that under federal law requires the advice and consent of the United States Senate. We are alarmed at your apparent decision to circumvent the law .  “This appointment is another example of your administration’s practice of creating new offices that do not require Senate confirmation or that do not have explicit statutory missions and constraints. By placing considerable policy authority with these individuals, you demonstrate a flagrant disregard for the separation of powers and congressional authority under both the Constitution and federal law .”  BACKGROUND :  At the start of his tenure, President Biden created the new Cabinet-level position of Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) for John Kerry.   This position was not subject to the constitutional advice and consent role of the Senate, allowing him to avoid the Senate confirmation process, any transparency or disclosure requirements, and congressional oversight.  In 2021 in response to these concerns, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, legislation requiring that any “Special Envoy” or other position performing a similar function be subject to confirmation with the advice and consent of the Senate.  Congress intended that Mr. Kerry’s successor be covered by the statutory requirement.  As Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, Mr. Podesta appears to be assuming all of Mr. Kerry’s duties to act as an envoy for climate on the President’s behalf and to represent the interests of the United States in international policy negotiations.   There appears to be no distinction between this new title and the role of the SPEC.   Given the visibility and authority of this position and its similarity to the SPEC Office, any candidate for this position, including Mr. Podesta, should clearly be required to receive Senate confirmation.   The mere fact that Mr. Podesta will receive a different title and will be based in the White House, rather than the Department of State like his predecessor, does not obviate this statutory obligation.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.



Mar 6, 2024
Press Release

E&C, W&M, Oversight Committees, GOP Doctors Caucus Raise Concerns about $3 Billion Medicare Fraud Scheme

Washington, D.C. — After public reports of a large-scale, year-long Medicare fraud scheme involving catheter billing, leaders from the Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Accountability committees, along with GOP Doctors Caucus Co-Chairs, are seeking a briefing from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General (IG) Christi Grimm and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. In a new letter, the lawmakers request briefings from the HHS IG and CMS by March 20, 2024, regarding what steps are being taken to address this reported fraud and prevent its reoccurrence.  KEY LETTER EXCERPTS : “It is imperative that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General take immediate action to reduce improper payments and ensure that taxpayer dollars are directed towards the care of our senior citizens whom Medicare is intended to serve. “Based on the information that is publicly known to date, the scale of the alleged catheter billing fraud, affecting over 450,000 Medicare beneficiaries, may represent a significant failure by CMS and HHS OIG. This dramatic, multifold increase in catheter billing—from just a handful of companies—should have been quickly identified and addressed. If public reports about the apparent ease with which this fraud was perpetrated are accurate, they raise questions about the efficacy of current CMS and the HHS OIG fraud detection and prevention measures. In addition, there are stakeholder concerns that a similar increase in fraud has occurred in diabetes supplies, and that this increase may be evidence of a new fraud against the Medicare program.” BACKGROUND : Public reporting estimates the cost of fraud from this scheme to be at least $2 billion. However, discussions between committee staff and stakeholders suggest the dollar figure may be closer to $3 billion. During the Trump administration, Medicare improper payments were reduced by billions per year. In the years since President Biden took office in January 2021, however, improper payments have increased dramatically. House Republicans have long raised the alarm about the prevalence of improper and fraudulent payments in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In 2016, Republican Members of Congress wrote to then Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt to express concern over the rise in Medicare's improper payments. Under the Biden administration, Medicare improper payments have an estimated total of $87.72 billion. Members signing the letter include: Energy and Commerce: Full Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) Ways and Means Committee: Full Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) Health Subcommittee Chair Vern Buchanan (R-FL) Oversight Subcommittee Chair David Schweikert (R-AZ) Oversight and Accountability Committee: Full Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) Health Care and Financial Services Subcommittee Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI) GOP Doctors Caucus Co-Chair Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) Co-Chair Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) Co-Chair Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH) CLICK HERE to read the full letter.



Feb 26, 2024
Letter

E&C Republican Leaders Demand Answers on the Biden Administration’s Ineffective EV Infrastructure Program

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) sent a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg regarding growing concerns over the Biden administration’s inability to implement the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant programs, as well as the implications for American taxpayers. KEY QUOTE:   “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided $5 billion for the NEVI Formula Program ($1 billion annually from FY22-FY26), and a total of $2.5 billion from FY22-FY26 for the CFI Discretionary Grant Program. Despite recent award announcements, little progress has been made in the buildout of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. On December 15, 2023, the Department of Energy and Department of Transportation announced the opening of America’s first EV fast charging stations funded through the NEVI Formula Program: in Ohio and New York. This announcement for merely eight charging stations comes more than two years after the passage of the IIJA.  “The problems with these programs continue to grow – delays in the delivery of chargers, concerns from States about labor contracting requirements and minimum operating standards for chargers, the fact that 22 States (44 percent) have not issued solicitations for NEVI funding, and the limited and questionable delivery of awards from the CFI Discretionary Grant Program.”  Members asked Secretaries Granholm and Buttigieg to answer the following questions by March 7, 2024: How many EV chargers does the administration expect to be constructed using NEVI Formula Program and CFI Discretionary Grant Program funds in 2024?   Because private sector deployment of EV chargers is outpacing the federal government, how is the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation updating its review of State plans to ensure federal dollars do not overbuild private sector investments?   In the Federal Highway Administration’s January 11, 2024, press release, it stated, “More than 70 percent of the CFI funding announced today will support project sites in disadvantaged communities.” Understanding EVs are extremely cost prohibitive for many, expensive to maintain, and have high insurance costs, can you please share how the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is ensuring charging stations being awarded will receive maximized usage?   What changes is the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation making to ensure the timely review of State plans and delivery of awards?  Regarding the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation:   How many employees does the office have? What is the administrative budget for the office for each year since it has been in existence? Considering the Biden administration’s waiver of Buy America requirements for steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials in EV chargers, how will you ensure federal funds are not supporting Chinese or Chinese-affiliated entities?  IN THE NEWS:   “Republican leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are demanding answers from two federal agencies regarding the Biden administration’s lagging electric vehicle (EV) charger subsidy program.”   […] “Beyond noting that the rollout has been sluggish to date, the lawmakers asked the agencies to provide estimates of how many chargers the administration is anticipating the program will help build by the end of the year and steps the agencies are taking to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not benefit Chinese interests in light of the administration’s ‘Buy America’ requirement waiver for certain charger components.”   CLICK HERE to read the full article from the Daily Caller.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.



Feb 16, 2024
Press Release

E&C Republicans Raise Concerns with Proposed Rule that Weakens HHS Refugee Resettlement Vetting Process

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), on behalf of the Health and Oversight Subcommittee Republicans, wrote to Biden administration officials who oversee the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement. In the letter, the Chairs raise concerns about a recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would weaken the vetting process for children in the program as well as ORR’s poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars and potential conflicts of interested related to the ORR Director.   In addition, the Chairs note that HHS has failed to respond to questions for the record from a hearing in July of 2023, despite several extensions given to the original deadline.  KEY EXCERPTS : “ORR’s inclusion of this provision [Sec. 410.1202 (c)] is particularly surprising considering continual bi-partisan Congressional interest in bolstering the sponsor vetting process. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra was repeatedly questioned on the thoroughness of the sponsor vetting process at a Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing last summer. The Secretary repeatedly assured the Subcommittee that ORR was conducting a ‘very thorough vetting process for any sponsor to make sure we understand who is asking for the opportunity to care for these children.' Making background checks and fingerprinting optional is inconsistent with the Secretary’s testimony to Congress .”  […]  “Numerous media and government oversight reports have clearly shown that the care provider facilities and sponsors do not always act in the best interest of the unaccompanied children. Many ORR influx care facility’s personnel have shown that they are frequently unqualified to care for vulnerable children. There have even been allegations of neglect and sexual misconduct by influx care facility staff with migrant children. Loosening vetting procedures for sponsors by eliminating background checks, fingerprints, and home visits, will put vulnerable unaccompanied children at a greater risk of being trafficked, exploited, or placed in unsafe settings.   “ Whistleblowers have reported to Congress how HHS endangered the lives of unaccompanied migrant children by not properly vetting sponsors and not tracking children after they left ORR custody. Many children have ended up working in unsafe environments, such as roofing and meatpacking plants, after they were placed with an ORR approved sponsor. Some unaccompanied children have even died from injuries sustained while working at these sites. The Committee has received new allegations that ORR knowingly attempted to place a child with a convicted sex offender who was previously convicted of sexually abusing another child in his custody.”  […]  “ORR’s neglect of the unaccompanied children comes at a time when the agency has received unprecedented levels of funding. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), ORR’s parent agency, has received $20 billion in the last two years—$8.9 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2022 and $10.9 billion in FY 2023—for refugee and entrant assistance, including more than $10 billion for the care of unaccompanied migrant children . ORR’s continued failure to care adequately for unaccompanied children in its custody, shows not only indifference to child welfare, but poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars.  “ The Committee is also disturbed to learn of potential conflicts of interest stemming from Director Dunn Marcos’ prior role as Senior Director for Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration Programming at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Recent reports indicate not only that the IRC has been the top beneficiary of refugee and entrant assistance discretionary grants since 2013, but also that the funding amounts allocated to the IRC in 2022 and 2023 have ballooned, with the organization receiving more than $235 million in spending in FY 2023 compared to $22 million in FY 2021—curiously, since Director Dunn Marcos took office.”  BACKGROUND : Section 410.1202 (c) of the Proposed Rule states, "As part of its suitability assessment, ORR may also require such components as an investigation of the living conditions in which the unaccompanied child would be placed and the standard of care the unaccompanied child would receive, [. . .] a home visit or home study […], background and criminal records checks, which may include a fingerprint based background check, on the potential sponsor and on adult residents of the potential sponsor’s household." Section 410.1210 (a)(3) does not require PRS for children with mental health needs, as the UC Program Foundational Rule now states “ORR may conduct PRS in additional cases involving unaccompanied children with mental health or other needs who could benefit from ongoing assistance from a community-based service provider,” based on available appropriations.  Unaccompanied children often undergo extreme physical and mental trauma in their perilous journey to the U.S. and are in need of regular mental health and wellness checks by appropriate providers.   Such services must be available for children manifesting obvious mental health symptoms.  Section 410.1210 (a)(4) states “ORR shall not delay the release of an unaccompanied child if PRS are not immediately available.”   By including this provision, ORR absolves itself of all responsibility that an unaccompanied migrant child will be properly taken care of after release in situations where the unaccompanied child clearly needs PRS.  Section 410.1210 (e) provides that ongoing check-ins and in-home visits will be made “in consultation with the released unaccompanied child and sponsor,” and may be done “either in person or virtually. ”  CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 



Feb 16, 2024
Press Release

E&C Republicans Request Former NIH Official Participate in Transcribed Interview Regarding Oversight of Risky Virus Research Experiments

Washington, D.C. — As part of its ongoing investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the adequacy of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) oversight of risky virus research, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) have requested former senior NIH official Dr. Teresa Hauguel participate in a transcribed interview before the Committee.  KEY EXCERPT :  “As a former program officer at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), documents indicate that you participated in internal institute committee meetings to determine whether certain virus research experiments presented risks that required additional scrutiny and possible actions to mitigate the risks such as redesign of the experiment. You have been identified by a senior official at NIAID as a subject matter expert for reviewing risks in respiratory virus research projects. For these reasons, we believe you could be helpful to the committee’s examination of virus research oversight, and thus, we request that you appear for a transcribed interview to be held on the week of March 4, 2024.”  CLICK HERE to read the letter.