Romney takes swipe at Trump administration virus response

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee hearing on the coronavirus pandemic (all times local):

1:15 p.m.

Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney is taking a swipe at the Trump administration’s pandemic response, and also questioning President Donald Trump’s suggestion that his predecessor Barack Obama is responsible for the lack of a coronavirus vaccine.

Romney chided administration “testing czar” Adm. Brett Giroir for taking part in a White House event celebrating nearly 9 million coronavirus tests in the U.S., much more than testing leader South Korea performed. The difference is that South Korea tested early, and the U.S. is playing catch up, Romney said, adding that as a result there are many more American deaths.

“I find our testing record nothing to celebrate whatsoever,” Romney said.

Romney also asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to comment on Trump placing the blame on Obama for the lack of a vaccine. “Not at all,” responded Fauci, “certainly President Obama nor President Trump are responsible for us not having a vaccine.”

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12:45 p.m.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., blasted the Trump administration for “criminally vague” guidance on how states can safely reopen their economies. He pressed CDC Director Robert Redfield on why detailed recommendations prepared by agency experts had been shelved, as reported by The Associated Press.

Redfield responded with an explanation that veered into how government bureaucracy works. He said such guidance documents are sent for interagency review to make sure they’re appropriate for all areas of the country. That’s now complete with the CDC recommendations and they’ve been sent back up to the White House.

Redfield said the CDC recommendations should appear on the...