August 10, 2026

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Doctors for America’s Statement on the Attacks on Science & Public Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Doctors for America (DFA) strongly opposes the partisan weaponization of congressional oversight to attack career scientists and public health professionals following the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's party-line vote to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt. Independent evaluations of events like the COVID-19 outbreak response are critical to maintaining strong, well-prepared public health systems. However, politically-motivated personal attacks add nothing to the previous exhaustive federal and scientific review. Instead, these attacks deter current and future public health, medical, and other professionals from acting in the best interest of patients and the public. 

The blatant intimidation of a retired health official, including publicly releasing his private diaries, sets a dangerous precedent: civil servants who prioritize public interest over political expediency can face lifelong personal consequences. Criticizing a scientist’s private reflections for displaying openness to diverse theories and dedicated analysis of evolving evidence threatens the core of scientific inquiry. We are ashamed that Senator Rand Paul, a fellow physician, would use his public office to perpetuate a public, personal vendetta and continue to propagate misinformation in this way.

This politicization of science and public health is reckless and harmful to our nation at a time when we are already battling uncontrolled outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and foodborne illness. Our ability to protect our nation’s health security has already started to erode. These hearings against non-partisan scientists create a dangerous precedent for both scientists and science as a whole. We call on congressional leadership and the public to reject the dangerous politicization of medicine, safeguard non-partisan career scientists from political retaliation, and restore evidence-based oversight to protect national health security.

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About Doctors for America:

Doctors for America (DFA) is a national nonprofit that mobilizes over 40,000 physicians and medical trainees to advocate for policies that improve the health of patients and communities. Through advocacy training and action at the state and federal levels, DFA works to expand access to affordable care, strengthen community health and prevention, and advance health justice and equity. We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical, insurance, or for-profit health care entities, ensuring our work remains fiercely independent and patient-centered. DFA puts patients over politics–and over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on X @drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.

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