At a Senate hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right, refusing to answer questions about the origins of COVID-19. Senator Rand Paul, chairman of the committee, announced that the panel will vote next week on whether to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress for his refusal to testify.

The exchange highlighted ongoing tensions between lawmakers and public health officials regarding transparency about the pandemic’s early days. Critics argue that Fauci’s plea obstructs congressional oversight, while supporters say he is protecting himself from potentially self-incriminating inquiries.

The upcoming contempt vote could set a precedent for how Congress handles witnesses who claim constitutional privileges during investigations into public health emergencies.