Moulton Calls On China To Accept Coronavirus Blame

SALEM, MA — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton cosponsored a nonbinding resolution calling on China to "publicly state that there’s no evidence that COVID–19 originated anywhere else but China" and admit it made "multiple, serious mistakes" in its initial response to the new coronavirus.

The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Jim Banks (R-IN), was introduced Tuesday. The resolution immediately drew criticism for associating an infectious disease with a geographic region, which public health leaders have warned against. Since coronavirus started in December, there has been an increase in reports of xenophobic and racist attacks against Asian Americans.

Related Story: Moulton, Wife Self-Quarantining With Coronavirus Symptoms

"The American people should hold our leaders accountable, and their representatives in Congress should hold China accountable for its part in this pandemic,” Moulton said in a statement.

According to the Huffington Post, which first reported this story, Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said she asked Moulton not to introduce the resolution. She also asked colleagues in a private caucus call Tuesday to not sign the resolution. Moulton is the only Democrat supporting the resolution, which is also supprted by 40 Republicans.

"I told him in very clear terms that introducing this resolution now, as emotions are so high and fear and anxiety are spiking at the highest rates, and as anti-Asian American hate crimes are on the rise, would be extremely harmful," she said. "He insisted he had to speak out against China in this moment."