human contact with infected animals or it was a laboratory accident. but some lawmakers allege an accident is just what china wants the world to think. >> they are doing everything to hide it. they wouldn't be doing that if it was an accident. >> peter: we would know more if china was more forthcoming early on according to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. >> once the virus started appearing, there seems to have been a fair amount of cover up or lack of transparency. that's the best way to put it. and all of that is disturbing. >> if china covered up or created covid, next steps are unclear. >> would the president seek to punish china? >> we're not going to go there just yet. >> peter: some republicans wish they would. >> if president biden does not work with the congress to put sanctions on china, to make sure they cooperate with international community, china is going to get away with it. >> peter: the lab leak theory