Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has proposed new legislation aiming to prevent federal employees from accepting cash rewards. This follows a recent scrutiny of Dr. Anthony Fauci for allegedly receiving over $1 million during the COVID-19 crisis.

Hawley criticized Fauci in a Senate hearing, accusing him of exploiting loopholes in federal regulations that typically prohibit government personnel from soliciting such awards. The legislation, known as the No Cash Prizes for Bureaucrats Act, aims to close these loopholes.

No federal bureaucrat should accept cash prizes while on the job, asserted Hawley. Highlighting that ‘Fauci got rich while millions suffered.’

The legislation seeks to prevent federal workers from earning rewards related to medicine and research. It also proposes enhanced federal rules to stop National Institutes of Health officials from using their position or resources to seek such rewards.

During a recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee meeting, Hawley challenged Fauci, who repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights instead of responding. Hawley alleged that Fauci amassed personal wealth during the pandemic while benefiting from federal employees who sought cash prizes for him.

Hawley presented internal communications reportedly from Fauci’s team. One email from former chief of staff Greg Folkers outlined efforts to nominate Fauci for the Dan David Prize. The prize was linked to a substantial $900,000 cash reward, according to Hawley.

Hawley argued that Fauci leveraged government personnel to apply for multiple awards, including accolades from the Partnership for Public Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and other esteemed bodies.

Anders Hagstrom contributed to this piece, providing national politics coverage and insights.