“Under the advice of my attorneys, I will invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution to refrain from answering your questions,” Fauci said. Paul questioned Fauci extensively about US funding for coronavirus research in Wuhan, the laboratory origin theory, gain-of-function research, federal record-keeping and a presidential pardon issued to him before leaving office. After Fauci repeatedly declined to answer, Paul said the committee would vote next week on a resolution recommending that he be held in contempt of Congress. Democrats on the committee strongly criticised the hearing, arguing it was politically motivated and distracted from current public health challenges. Republicans, on the other hand, said that his refusal to answer questions prevented the committee from examining decisions made during the pandemic.