Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, along with Dr. Rand Paul and 17 other senators, has sent a follow-up letter to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William J. Burns, demanding information regarding whistleblower allegations related to the CIA's investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

According to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a senior-level Agency officer claims that the CIA assigned seven officers to a COVID Discovery Team. This team consisted of experienced officers with scientific expertise. The whistleblower alleges that at the end of their review, six of the seven members believed that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, while the seventh member, who was the most senior, believed it originated through zoonosis.

"These allegations raise serious questions about the Agency's investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic," the senators wrote in their letter. They also expressed concern about the CIA's refusal to cooperate with requests for information by members of the Senate. The senators emphasized that the CIA has an obligation to be responsive to congressional oversight requests.

The senators are reiterating their previous requests for information and documents from the CIA. They had initially requested additional documents and information on the Agency's investigation of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2023 but received no response.

Senator Tuberville and Dr. Paul are joined by several other senators in sending this letter, including Senators Roger Wicker, Ted Budd, Cynthia Lummis, and others.

It is crucial for the CIA to provide the requested information and cooperate with the Senate's oversight efforts. Transparency and accountability are essential in understanding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken to prevent future outbreaks.

The full text of the letter can be found [here](link to the letter).

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and serves on various committees, including the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, and HELP Committees.