Republican senators proceeded with the hearing, questioning Fauci about National Institutes of Health-funded research and the origins of COVID-19. Throughout the more than two-hour hearing, Fauci invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination more than 100 times instead of responding. Near the end of the hearing, Paul announced plans to hold a contempt vote that would begin the congressional contempt process, after which the Justice Department would decide whether to pursue criminal charges. The hearing also featured a tense exchange after Paul ordered Fauci’s attorney removed from the room for repeatedly attempting to intervene and invoke the Fifth Amendment on his client’s behalf. In a written statement submitted before the hearing, Fauci’s attorney said the circumstances surrounding his client’s appearance had “regrettably made his continued cooperation impossible,” accusing Paul of conducting a “public crusade” against Fauci.