The Biden administration on Sunday sparked a backlash from scientists and politicians when it failed to meet a deadline to declassify information related to the origins of the novel coronavirus.

After President Joe Biden signed the Novel Coronavirus Origin Act into law in March, the Director of National Intelligence set a 90 deadline to declassify information about the origin of the novel coronavirus disease and the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in Wuhan, China. was given for days. The government did not release the information, but Reportedly, They are trying to smooth out their troubled relationship with China.

Republican lawmakers, including Indiana Senator Mike Brown and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, have accused the administration of failing to comply with the law signed by the president.

“We need to know the truth about how this pandemic started and China’s role in covering it up, and the White House must respect the language of the law passed unanimously by the people’s representatives. I have to.” Brown said. Washington Times.

This is not an option. it’s the law.release information now https://t.co/AFGTyHGpmo

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 20, 2023

Holy tweeted On Tuesday, he said the release was “not voluntary” and demanded immediate compliance by the White House.

NBC News said the White House decision not to release the information was part of a broader effort to improve relations with China, which had deteriorated since a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reconnaissance balloon crossed the United States in February. reported. Secretary of State Anthony Brinken finally made a rescheduled visit last weekend after an information deadline, forced to postpone a planned visit to Beijing during a balloon flight.

Proponents of the laboratory leak theory believe that the virus accidentally leaked from the WIV as part of a lab accident while the researchers were conducting dangerous gain-of-function research contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe it is the beginning. The subject is sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party, which calls the allegations a conspiracy theory. (Related: Blinken bows to Xi on Beijing visit, fails to secure critical military communications deal)

A Biden administration official told NBC News that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is undergoing a “careful declassification process” and that “uncovering the origins of COVID-19 remains a priority for the president and the United States.” I said yes.