White House to Congress: Now is not the time for Fauci to testify

The White House on Friday rebuffed a request from a House committee to have Dr. Anthony Fauci testify at a hearing next week, saying they want key officials to stay focused on the coronavirus fight.

"While the Trump Administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement issued to multiple media outlets. "We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time."

House Democrats had hoped to host Fauci at a hearing next week, and lamented the decision.

"The Appropriations Committee sought Dr. Anthony Fauci as a witness at next week's Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee hearing on COVID-19 response" House Appropriations Committee spokesman Evan Hollander said in a statement to multiple news organizations. "We have been informed by an administration official that the White House has blocked Dr. Fauci from testifying,"