Stand Up for Science says its Fauci petition tops 11,000 signatures

Stand Up for Science says more than 11,000 people signed its petition in the first week as it pushes Congress to drop contempt efforts against Dr. Anthony Fauci. The group says the response shows public backing for science-based decision-making as Republican leaders move to punish Fauci over his congressional testimony.

Why it matters: - Stand Up for Science is using the petition to rally public pressure around Dr. Anthony Fauci and broader support for scientific expertise. - The group says the effort is meant to defend public health decision-making ahead of another potential crisis. - The petition push also arrives as election season approaches, adding a political edge to the fight over Fauci.

What happened: - Stand Up for Science says its petition has collected more than 11,000 signatures since it was announced on Aug. 10. - The group is asking supporters to contact members of Congress and urge protections for Fauci. - The petition calls on Congress to immediately rescind the contempt resolution referral to the Justice Department. - Senate Republicans on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Aug. 6 to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress after he pleaded the Fifth Amendment during a hearing. - The panel referred the contempt resolution to the Justice Department without a full Senate vote.

The details: - The petition argues that efforts to villainize public health experts make the country more vulnerable to the next public health crisis. - Dr. Colette Delawalla, founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science, said the campaign reflects people standing up for scientists and subject matter experts who should not be vilified for advising a president. - Delawalla said the fight is not about truth or better public health protection, but about leveraging unproven claims, conspiracy theories and COVID grievances to sway voters. - Delawalla said Congress should stop the assault on science or be replaced by lawmakers who will not pursue it.

Between the lines: - The petition turns a procedural fight over contempt into a broader argument about trust in science and public health institutions. - The group is framing the dispute as a test of whether lawmakers value evidence-based advice or political retaliation. - The move also gives supporters a simple action item: contact Congress, not just sign online.

What's next: - Stand Up for Science says Delawalla is available for comment. - The group is continuing to press lawmakers and the public to back Fauci and oppose the contempt referral. - The broader campaign is likely to keep linking the Fauci fight to future science and public health battles.

The bottom line: - Stand Up for Science has turned its Fauci defense into a rapid-response campaign that blends petition politics, congressional pressure and a warning about the next public health emergency.