6/25/2021 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fire Fauci Act Triples Support After Email Dump
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U.S. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fire Fauci Act Triples Support After Email Dump
BY JENNI FINK ON 6/22/21 AT 4:23 PM EDT
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U.S. M ARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE ANTHONY FAUCI CORON AVIRUS REPUBLICANS
epresentative Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fire Fauci Act is gaining support R among Republicans in Congress, although it faces a slim chance of becoming law.
The Georgia congresswoman introduced legislation to reduce the salary of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), to $0 in April. A month after being introduced, Greene only had four cosponsors, but since the release of some of Fauci's emails, her legislation amassed support from 13 of her Republican colleagues.
Representative Jeff Duncan from South Carolina is the latest Republican to sign onto Greene's legislation, according to Congress.gov. Days earlier, Representatives Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Barry Moore of Alabama and Louie Gohmert of Texas officially became cosponsors.
Although called the Fire Fauci Act, the legislation wouldn't actually remove Fauci from his position as director of the NIAID. Instead, it would eliminate the director's salary until someone else takes over the position.
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The legislation accuses Fauci of failing to provide people with "accurate information"Unlimited about 30 the Day COVID-19 Ad Free Trial pandemic and changing hisSUBSCRIBE stance NOW on› wearing face masks. Fauci defendedYou have his 4 freechanging articles remainingrecommendations this month as being based on Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles evolving information about the virus and how it spreads, but his defense has done Email address little to temper criticism. SUBSCRIBE https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greenes-fire-fauci-act-triples-support-after-email-dump-1603155 2/9 6/25/2021 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fire Fauci Act Triples Support After Email Dump
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fire Fauci Act is up to 13 cosponsors, triple the amount it had before Dr. Anthony Fauci's emails were released. Here, Greene holds a press conference to call for the dismissal of Dr. Anthony Fauci on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 15. JIM WATSON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Although the White House has stood by Fauci as an expert and trusted advisor, Republicans capitalized on the release of his emails as a means of renewed criticism. The thousands of pages of redacted emails called into question what Fauci knew about gain-of-function research being conducted in China, the effectiveness of wearing masks and the possibility that the virus originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Fauci pushed back on the criticism, saying that his emails are being taken out of Unlimited 30 Day Ad Free Trial SUBSCRIBE NOW › context and calling those advocating for him to be fired or even jailed "ridiculous." You have 4 free articles remaining this month Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles NEWSWEEK SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS > Email address SUBSCRIBE https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greenes-fire-fauci-act-triples-support-after-email-dump-1603155 3/9 6/25/2021 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fire Fauci Act Triples Support After Email Dump During a recent press conference, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who was the first cosponsor of Greene's legislation, accused Fauci of being involved in a "cover-up" about the "effectiveness of immunity that's conferred after a natural infection. Massie shared that he had not been vaccinated because he recovered from COVID-19 and criticized officials for encouraging others with natural antibodies to expose themselves to the "danger" of the vaccine.
READ MORE Marjorie Taylor Greene Urges Parents to Protect Kids Against COVID Vaccine These Republicans Have Co-Sponsored Marjorie Taylor Greene's Fire Fauci Act Marjorie Taylor Greene Demands Joe Biden Remove Kamala Harris Massie Won't Get Vaccine Until It 'Improves' Immunity After COVID Infection
Arizona congressman Andy Biggs also became a cosponsor of Greene's legislation in April, followed by Representative Paul Gosar in May. At the press briefing, Gosar called Fauci an "actor" who "deserves an Academy Award for best dramatic acting in a pandemic."
While the cosponsors of Greene's legislation feel strongly about the need to oust Fauci from his position, the bill faces an uphill climb in Congress.
Despite the growing number of sponsors, Greene doesn't appear to have the majority of her caucus in the House on her side and even if she did, the Democrats' majority means she'll also have to win over the other side of the aisle, who are unlikely to get on board. Greene was previously voted off of her committee assignmentsUnlimited 30 Day Ad and Free is T rialknown to butt heads with Democrats,SUBSCRIBE NOW making› it a challenge to form bipartisanYou have alliances 4 free articles to pass remaining legislation. this month Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles
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