Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, released the following statement following the passage of S.619, the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023:

"The American people deserve answers on the origins of the COVID-19 virus, a novel coronavirus that sparked a pandemic and has killed nearly 7 million people worldwide, to date. The impact of the pandemic on the American people has been catastrophic: we lost loved ones; our physicians, nurses, and health care workers were strained beyond capacity; we had to contend with lockdowns, school closures, and resulting learning loss, as well as shutdowns and job loss; and navigate the depression and suicide that spiked after these measures. Many Americans still suffer physically, mentally, and economically from the impact of the virus and the measures taken during the pandemic,” said Rep. Wenstrup. "This bill is a start towards providing much-needed sunlight and transparency for Americans who have lost so much in this tragedy. I am pleased it passed on such a broad bipartisan basis in the House today – not a single Member of Congress voted against it. As Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we seek to deliver the truth to the American people.”

S. 619 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 419-0 and is now headed to President Biden’s desk.

Click here to view Representative Wenstrup's remarks on the House floor.

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