Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faced a fiery grilling from House Republicans on Tuesday during his first public testimony before Congress regarding the state’s handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
Cuomo was called to testify before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic about the March 25, 2020 order from the New York State Department of Health that prohibited nursing homes from denying admittance to patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
While Cuomo expressed regret for the lives lost, he refused to take responsibility for the order, despite previous testimony from former Cuomo administration officials that suggested the governor’s office was involved in the policy’s creation and rescission.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) confronted Cuomo about his apology, asking him to turn around and address the families of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 in the audience. “You apologized today, but there are families sitting here – I want you to turn around, look them in the eye, and apologize, which you failed to do. Will you do?” Stefanik asked.
Cuomo deflected, saying the hearing was not about “political theater” but about providing answers. Stefanik also brought up Cuomo’s $5.1 million book deal for his memoir about his leadership during the pandemic, suggesting that his apology was insincere.
Other representatives on the committee, including Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), criticized Cuomo for lacking empathy for the families of those who died in nursing homes. “The American people deserve leaders who are empathetic,” Joyce said.
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) raised a point of order after the audience applauded Stefanik’s questioning, reminding the committee that applause and boos were not allowed under the rules of decorum.
The chairman of the select subcommittee, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), closed the hearing by remembering the lives lost in New York nursing homes and their families. “Your loved ones will be remembered,” Wenstrup said.
