Ranking Member Ruiz Statement on Suspension and Proposed Debarment of EcoHealth Alliance

Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2024)—Today, Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, issued the following statement regarding the suspension and proposed debarment of EcoHealth Alliance (EHA) by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

“I welcome the Administration’s announcement that it has suspended and initiated the termination of federal funding for EcoHealth Alliance.  Every recipient of federal taxpayer funding has an obligation to meet the utmost standards of transparency and accountability to the American public.  EcoHealth Alliance’s failure to do so is a departure from the longstanding legacy of good faith partnerships between NIH and federal grantees to advance science and the public interest, which remains essential for the continued work of preventing and preparing for future threats to our nation’s public health.”

On May 1, 2024, Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EHA, testified at a hearing before the Select Subcommittee.  Ahead of that hearing, Select Subcommittee Democrats released a staff report revealing findings from the Select Subcommittee’s investigation into EHA’s conduct as a federal grantee, including Dr. Daszak’s transcribed interview on November 14, 2023. 

Although there is no evidence that EHA played a role in creating the COVID-19 pandemic, Select Subcommittee Democrats’ report found that EHA engaged in other conduct that raises questions about their professional integrity—including failing to adequately monitor compliance with their own grant terms and conditions, potentially misleading NIH regarding the reason for its untimely submission of its Year 5 report, and potentially misleading NIAID regarding the location of its previously collected samples.

Ranking Member Ruiz and Select Subcommittee Democrats pressed  Dr. Daszak regarding these and other issues at during his public testimony that day.  

###