1). Rand Paul asking questions doesn't discourage scientists from weighing in on the topic.
2). Rand Paul never claimed COVID was a direct result of the study that he pointed out was proof of gain of function research. Fauci was making an argument that nobody else was making.
3). It appears the Obama admin lifted the funding freeze right before he left office (if it really ever stopped in the first place).
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/06/05/interesting-timing-obama-administration-lifted-block-on-gain-of-function-research-just-eleven-days-before-president-trump-took-office-january-9-2017/