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"The subpoenas were necessary because the Select Subcommittee’s investigation has revealed that efforts to interfere with scientific work at CDC were far more extensive and dangerous than previously known," Clyburn said in a letter sent to Azar and Redfield along with the subpoenas. An HHS spokesperson pushed back on the committee's claims and insisted the department has cooperated with the subcommittee's probe. (Weixel, 12/21)

"The subpoenas were necessary because the Select Subcommittee’s investigation has revealed that efforts to interfere with scientific work at CDC were far more extensive and dangerous than previously known," Clyburn said in a letter sent to Azar and Redfield along with the subpoenas. An HHS spokesperson pushed back on the committee's claims and insisted the department has cooperated with the subcommittee's probe.  (Subramanian, 12/21)

House Democrats on the committee allege that according to an interview they conducted with a career staffer at CDC, both HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Michael Caputo and Paul Alexander, a senior adviser, attempted to exert political influence over the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, which were intended to give the public a clear view of what was happening with the coronavirus. The editor and chief of those reports, Charlotte Kent, told committee staff that Alexander "contacted her directly on numerous occasions to pressure her to make changes to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports and to seek a larger role in the review process, in violation of longtime CDC and HHS policy to maintain the independence of these reports." (Fox and Raju, 12/21)

An HHS spokesperson disputed the committee’s allegations of political interference. “While the administration is focused on vaccination shots, the subcommittee is focused on cheap shots to create headlines and mislead the American people.” Representatives for the CDC didn’t return a request for comment. (Hackman, 12/21)