The GOP congressman who leads the House’s probe of COVID-19’s origins says he gained’t search reelection

WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup, who leads the House GOP’s investigation of the origins of COVID-19, says he gained’t search reelection subsequent yr.

Wenstrup represents Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District and was first elected to the House in 2012. He mentioned in a video posted on X on Thursday that he can be stepping all the way down to spend extra time together with his household.

A married father of two younger youngsters, the Cincinnati native is a health care provider of podiatric drugs and colonel within the Army Reserve. As chair of the House choose subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic, Wenstrup led an inquiry into the virus’ origins and the federal government’s response.

Wenstrup, who can be a longtime member of the House Intelligence Committee, has accused U.S. intelligence of withholding key information about its investigation into the coronavirus. Republicans on the committee final yr issued a workers report arguing that there are “indications” that the virus might have been developed as a bioweapon inside China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology.

U.S. officers, nonetheless, launched an intelligence report in June that rejected some factors raised by those that argue COVID-19 leaked from a lab, as a substitute reiterating that American spy companies stay divided over how the pandemic started.

Wenstrup‘s announcement came the same day another longtime congressman also said he would not seek reelection next year. Derek Kilmer, a Democrat who represents the 6th District in Washington, cited similar reasons as Wenstrup in reaching his decision, noting the numerous family events he has missed due to his work in the House.

Kilmer served in the Washington State legislature before he was first elected to his House seat in 2012.

They are among nearly two dozen House members to announce they won’t be working once more in 2024.

For extra info, go to The Washington Times COVID-19 useful resource web page.