The top U.S. expert on infectious diseases, Anthony Fauci, will testify to the Senate on Tuesday, as the White House’s response to the coronavirus pandemic comes under the spotlight amid sharp criticism by Democrats.
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President Donald Trump announced last week that he would allow Fauci to testify in the Republican-controlled Senate, but not to any committees in the House of Representatives, which is dominated by his rivals from the Democratic Party.
The Senate hearing at the health committee will be handled largely remotely.
The chairman, Lamar Alexander, is in self-quarantine, after being exposed to someone who has the virus.
Fauci himself and other top officials have also been exposed and are in forms of self-isolation.
Also testifying will be Robert Redfield, the head of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); Stephen Hahn, the chief of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and Brett Giroir, an assistant secretary of health.
Democrats accuse Trump of mishandling the response to the virus, including a fairly lax approach through February and lingering testing shortages.
The president also publicly pushed treatments that have been deemed questionable, at best.
Despite the committee having a Republican majority, Democratic lawmakers will still get to ask questions.
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