Democrat state lawmakers in NY probe Gov. Cuomo’s COVID-19 mishap [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Several New York Democratic state senators have asked to suspend Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s emergency powers amid concealing the actual number of COVID deaths in nursing homes.
• The probe came after New York State Attorney Letitia James released a scorching report on the governor’s crisis handling.
•  Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Queens) has proposed a measure to create a nonpartisan commission that would investigate the COVID-19 death toll concealment.

Democratic legislators have joined their Republican colleagues in probing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s coverup on the actual COVID-19 fatalities in New York, Friday.

About 14 Democrat senators have asked to annul Cuomo’s emergency powers as GOP legislators called for a targeted session to quickly take off his use of those powers. Bipartisan officials have grown weary over Cuomo’s failure to disclose actual data of death tolls due to the virus.

“While the executive’s authority to issue directives is due to expire on April 30, we urge the Senate to advance and adopt repeal as expeditiously as possible,” the joint statement of 14 Democratic state senators wrote.

“Crucial information should never be withheld from entities that are empowered to pursue oversight,” said Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins regarding the coverup by Cuomo’s team.

The Democratic outrage sparked following State Attorney Letitia James’ critical report on Cuomo’s COVID-19 handling. It was followed by top Cuomo official Melissa DeRosa’s admission of concealing the truth behind halting the fatality figures in nursing homes.

Citing the DeRosa conference call, one Democratic legislator said: “The wheels are starting to fall off.”

GOP and Democratic lawmakers have treated the conspiracy differently; the former decrying the governor’s negligence while the latter was lenient in putting the blame on Cuomo.

Democrat authorities have, in fact, prevented GOP measures to issue subpoenas against top Cuomo aides. During a session, Senate Investigations Committee chair and State Sen. James Skoufis turned off the mic of GOP state Sen. Tom O’Mara who was raising a motion for a subpoena.

After losing his uncle due to COVID-19, Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Queens) has asked for bipartisan support as he proposed building a nonpartisan commission that would probe into the nursing-home coverup and make the state authorities responsible. The legislation could be the start of the bipartisan movement to address the crisis.

Earlier this week, the state’s Senate Health Committee passed numerous bills to further look into the New York government’s accountability on nursing-home industry mishap.

Amid the 15,000 nursing care COVID death toll, Democrats have refrained from criticizing Cuomo and Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.

Source: New York Post