Senator Hawley Proposes Legislation to Prevent Cash Prizes for Federal Workers

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, has announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at stopping federal officials from receiving monetary awards. This proposal follows his criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who, according to Hawley, accepted over $1 million during the COVID-19 crisis.

During a recent Senate hearing, Hawley accused Fauci of exploiting legal loopholes that prevent government employees from soliciting cash rewards. The proposed legislation, named the No Cash Prizes for Bureaucrats Act, intends to address these gaps.

“No federal bureaucrat should accept cash prizes while on the job. That’s why I’m introducing legislation to bar federal employees from accepting cash prizes or soliciting awards. Fauci got rich while millions of people died. It can never happen again,” Hawley stated to Fox News Digital.

Hawley presented evidence from public records indicating Fauci, in his role as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), used personnel to seek at least eight cash awards. One award alone was a check for $900,000.

The new bill aims to restrict federal employees from receiving or seeking cash awards, particularly in fields like medicine and research. It also seeks to enhance existing rules to prevent National Institutes of Health officials from using their work time to apply for awards.

Hawley’s proposal follows his pointed questioning of Fauci during a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times in response.

“I think I know why you’re doing it,” Hawley remarked regarding Fauci’s refusal to answer. “During the pandemic, you got rich while people were dying.”

Hawley accused Fauci of directing federal employees with taxpayer funds to secure cash awards amounting to over $1 million for personal gain.

Fauci repeatedly responded, “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.”

Further, Hawley cited internal emails from Fauci’s staff, including one from former chief of staff Greg Folkers, discussing a nomination for the Dan David Prize. The email requested federal staff to enhance Fauci’s nomination with details of his pandemic response.

Hawley noted that the Dan David Award included a $900,000 cash prize and claimed Fauci used federal resources to secure this and other awards, such as those from the Partnership for Public Service and the National Academy of Medicine.

“You turned your staff into a full-time application machine,” Hawley stated, accusing Fauci of inquiring directly about qualifying for these honors.

For more information, download the Fox News app.

Stephen Sorace of Fox News contributed to this report. Anders Hagstrom reports for Fox News Digital on national politics and breaking news.