USA TODAY is reporting that Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right during hours of questioning by Senate Republicans regarding his leadership of the U.S. coronavirus pandemic response. It said Sen. Rand Paul threatened to hold Fauci in contempt, arguing that while former President Biden pardoned Fauci for actions from 2014 through 2025, he could still be prosecuted for obstructing a congressional investigation outside that timeframe. Sens. Rick Scott, R-Florida, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, commented on the potential contempt push, with Scott supporting it and Ernst seeking further legal understanding. USA TODAY also reported that Paul released Fauci's diary, which contains over a thousand pages of personal notes and emails from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outlet is also reporting that Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is in jeopardy. It said two Republican senators have expressed misgivings about a tax immunity deal involving President Donald J Trump.
Separately, USA TODAY reported that the Senate greenlit a Russia sanctions package in a broad bipartisan vote, passed in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present in the Senate chamber to watch the vote. The outlet noted that nearly a dozen Democrats voted against the legislation, citing concerns about delegating broad tariff authority to President Donald J Trump. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, declined to comment on Fauci's testimony, stating he did not watch it.