Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is set to face a Congressional grilling over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as Republicans intensify their scrutiny of public officials whose actions during the crisis have come under fire.
Cuomo is scheduled for a private interview on Tuesday with the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. This meeting follows recent testimony from Dr. Anthony Fauci, who acknowledged that the lab-leak theory of COVID-19's origin is a plausible “possibility” and admitted that the six-foot social distancing and mask mandates for children were not grounded in conclusive science. Fauci's testimony subsequently led to accusations of perjury by some lawmakers.
The committee claims Cuomo attempted to avoid the meeting for nine months, dodging multiple requests to speak. It was only after issuing a subpoena that they secured his appearance, aiming to delve into his controversial nursing home policies during the pandemic.
“Today, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will be held to account in front of Congress for the deadly pandemic-era nursing home policies issued under his watch,” stated COVID committee Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) on Tuesday.
Republicans on the committee are particularly focused on Cuomo's directive for nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, a decision they argue contributed to high death rates among the elderly. Additionally, they plan to question him about allegations that he pressured former state appointees and New York officials to remain silent about his March 25, 2020, nursing home admission order.
Lawmakers will also probe Cuomo on his profitable book deal that chronicled his leadership during the pandemic, as well as his involvement in manipulating data related to New York nursing home deaths. Critics assert that these actions resulted in the deaths of numerous elderly residents.
In preparation for Cuomo’s interview, the committee has engaged with families affected by his policies, echoing widespread criticism that these decisions led to many preventable deaths. Even New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, issued a scathing report condemning the Cuomo administration’s handling and subsequent cover-up of the true mortality rate.
“Meanwhile, the Governor had the audacity to publish a self-applauding book on ‘leadership lessons' from COVID-19,” Wenstrup remarked.
Cuomo is expected to arrive for his interview at around 9:30 a.m.
