CDC Director Rochelle Walensky Agrees to Testify Before Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON — Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) received confirmation today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has finally agreed to allow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky to publicly testify on June 13, 2023. Chairman Wenstrup first requested Director Walensky’s testimony on April 5, 2023, and formally invited her to testify on May 22, 2023. As a leading public health official during the COVID-19 pandemic, Director Walensky’s knowledge of CDC policies and decisions is essential to the Select Subcommittee’s investigations, mission, and to help prepare America for a possible future pandemic.

On March 28, 2023, Chairman Wenstrup sent a letter to Director Walensky requesting all documents and communications related to the American Federation of Teachers’ (AFT) uncommon access to the CDC regarding COVID-19 school reopening guidance. The CDC has yet to respond. AFT President Randi Weingarten’s testimony before the Select Subcommittee in April revealed, for the first time, that Ms. Weingarten had a direct telephone line to Director Walenskey. This previously unknown information raises further questions about potential political interference in CDC policies and decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official invite to Director Walensky can be found here, the original request for documents regarding the CDC’s school reopening guidance can be found here, and request for document preservation following the Weingarten hearing can be found here.