Senate Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday defeated a Republican attempt to confer immunity on a former longtime assistant to Dr. Anthony Fauci, a move that would have compelled her testimony in the panel's ongoing investigation into the former top U.S. infectious disease official.
The procedural motion, which needed a two-thirds majority to pass, failed on a strict party-line vote of 8-7 during a committee business meeting. Only one Democratic senator, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, was physically present; the remaining Democrats cast their votes by proxy, all in opposition.
Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said the unnamed assistant appeared for a deposition last week but invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions. Paul acknowledged her constitutional right to remain silent but stressed that “her silence does not end this investigation.”
The Kentucky Republican has long sought a comprehensive examination of Fauci's role in the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging that the scientist misled Congress about funding research in China that may have contributed to the outbreak. Last month, the committee voted to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer questions during a July hearing; that referral was sent to the Justice Department.
Paul indicated that the assistant's testimony is crucial to probing allegations of record destruction. “We are here today to remove the obstacles she raised so she can answer the committee questions without any fear of conviction,” he said before the vote. “Under an immunity order, her testimony, and anything derived from it, cannot be used against her in a criminal case. The Fifth Amendment protects her from incriminating herself. Immunity gives her that same protection.”
Hassan, however, argued that the committee was moving too hastily on such a consequential step. “Compelling someone to testify after they have invoked their Fifth Amendment right is something none of us should take lightly,” she said. “Before we take an extraordinary step like this, we should more seriously pursue a good faith bipartisan approach to obtain this information and pursue the work of this committee. Because of that, I’m voting against this motion today, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.”
Paul pushed back, noting that the assistant’s testimony would still be “voluntary” and that no one would “compel her testimony.” Hassan responded that while she did not rule out future action, “it is rushed today and that’s why I’m going to oppose it.”
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a committee member, expressed hope that the vote would not be the final word and urged Democrats to reconsider. “I don’t want to see Anthony Fauci’s assistant go to jail,” he said. “I want the truth, and hopefully folks on your side of the aisle will help us get the truth without, again, harming that particular witness.”
The failed motion highlights the deepening partisan rift over pandemic accountability and the limits of congressional oversight. It also comes as Republicans continue to press for transparency from former health officials, while Democrats caution against overreach that could chill future testimony. The committee’s investigation into Fauci is expected to continue, with Paul vowing to pursue other avenues to gather information.
This development follows a broader pattern of partisan clashes over executive accountability and comes as voters express frustration with the direction of the country. The outcome also mirrors recent shifts in Senate race ratings that suggest political implications for both parties as the 2026 midterms approach.
