House Republicans sparred with former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who testified before Congress for the first time on Tuesday about the excessive death toll in New York state nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Cuomo has agreed to testify before the Special Subcommittee on COVID-19 regarding the New York State Department of Health’s March 25, 2020, order prohibiting nursing homes from refusing to admit a patient “based solely on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.”
Cuomo began his testimony by saying he was “sorry for all the lives that have been lost,” but did not take responsibility for issuing the March 25 order, even though other former Cuomo administration officials testified before the committee that the governor’s office was involved in issuing and reversing the policy.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who was invited to question the former governor, urged Governor Cuomo to address the families of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 who were in the audience.
“You apologized today, but there’s a family sitting here. I want you to turn around, look them in the eye and apologize, and you couldn’t do that. Will you?” Stefanik asked.
“Congressman, this isn’t political theater,” Cuomo responded. “This is about getting answers.”
Stefanik also noted that Cuomo signed a $5.1 million publishing deal for a memoir about his leadership during the pandemic.
“This is about seniors, Governor. They deserve to hear directly from you that you have apologized and that you were in negotiations to publish a multi-million dollar book,” Stefanik said. “This is a disgrace. There’s a reason you are a former governor of the state of New York and will never hold public office again.”
Following the heated exchange between @RepStefanik & former Gov. Cuomo, families of nursing home COVID victims gave a rousing applause.@RepKweisiMfume issued a point of order for no applause or boos from the audience. https://t.co/swJnM74G17
— Gabrielle M. Etzel (@UnvarnishedGME) September 10, 2024
When Stefanik finished speaking, the audience in the hearing room erupted in applause.
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) pleaded for order after the applause, saying that as a matter of etiquette, there should be no applause or booing.
Other Republicans, and several Democrats on the committee, criticized the former governor for lacking compassion for New Yorkers who have lost family members.
“The American people deserve empathetic leadership,” said Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), a physician and member of the Republican Medical Caucus.
.@RepDebDingell challenges Cuomo for his statement during the transcribed interview that "who cares" about the discrepancy in nursing home deaths.
"I care. Every member of this committee here, and more importantly, every family member here."
— Gabrielle M. Etzel (@UnvarnishedGME) September 10, 2024
Rep. Debbie Dingle (D-Mich.) also criticized Gov. Cuomo for asking, during a recorded interview before the subcommittee in June, “who cares” about the exact number of nursing home deaths.
“I care,” Dingle said, “everyone on the committee here cares, and more importantly, every family here cares.”
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The subcommittee’s chairman, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), closed the hearing with a memorial to those who died in New York nursing homes and their families.
“Your loved ones will be remembered,” Wenstrup said.
