Sen. Maggie Hassan has moved to block a plea deal that would have let Dr. Fauci’s assistant testify.
Six other Democrats voted no by proxy. The vote failed to reach the two-thirds needed to pass. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told the Daily Signal that this move prevents the American people from hearing the truth. He offered the unnamed assistant immunity from criminal charges. In return, she would tell the committee who ordered her to destroy records.
Data Center demand has pushed electricity prices across the nation up. If hyperscalers and other big tech companies need expensive new facilities and more energy, they should pay for it–NOT our hardworking families and small businesses. https://t.co/eVKacHkbJ2
— Martin Heinrich (@SenatorHeinrich) September 17, 2026
Committee Chairman Paul said he wanted to know how many records were destroyed. He also wanted to know over what period of time the destruction happened. “I think everybody should be for transparency, whether a Republican or a Democrat,” Paul said. He argued that the person giving the orders is the one who needs to be held accountable. “We’re trying to get to the truth,” Paul continued. “And that’s why we’re offering this assistant immunity.”
The Ratepayer Protection Act is simple: data centers should pay their own way. American families, farmers, and small businesses shouldn’t be stuck footing the bill for Big Tech’s energy needs.
I brought my bill to the Senate floor to protect ratepayers, but Senate Democrats… pic.twitter.com/XZiXVu1ZaB
— Senator Jon Husted (@SenJonHusted) September 17, 2026
During the business meeting, Hassan said she opposed the deal. She claimed she “does not have enough information” on the matter. Paul confirmed this was untrue. He noted that every Democrat on the committee had signed a document. This document stated they received all the information about the offer and the doubts regarding the pandemic.
Senate Democrats blocked my bill that would have driven down utility costs for Americans.
Shameful. pic.twitter.com/IxNJwSkHKn
— Senator Jon Husted (@SenJonHusted) September 21, 2026
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, spoke out against the obstruction. He said eight Republicans were ready to talk. Instead, he watched Democrats act like petulant middle school children. “Eight of us are saying let’s talk, and Democrats are sitting here like middle schoolers saying no, we don’t,” Moreno said. The resolution died because all seven Democrats present voted against it.
DC Democrats just blocked @SenJonHusted’s bill that would have held data center builders responsible for their own energy and prevent homeowners and small businesses from seeing their electricity prices go up. The House had passed it by an almost unanimous vote yesterday!
Why?… pic.twitter.com/7WYMXqhCl6
— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) September 17, 2026
This is where it changes. Paul is not walking away from the effort. He stated that his push for immunity is not over. He plans to take the fight directly to the Department of Justice.
The assistant was supposed to testify about her involvement in destroying public records. This was done at the request of her boss, former NIH Director Fauci. The committee wanted to know if she was following orders from above. If she was, Paul said the person who gave the orders needs to be found guilty by history.
