Democrat NY Senate Majority Leader calls for Cuomo’s resignation [Video]

• Calls for the resignation of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo increased as more allegations against him surfaced over the weekend.
• New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins cited several issues of the Cuomo administration that take away from the current pandemic crisis.
• Cuomo had issued an apology but insisted that he will not step down.

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) declared on Sunday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo “must resign” following increasing sexual harassment allegations against him.

According to a report from the Associated Press, Cuomo had informed Stewart-Cousins in a phone call that state legislators would have to impeach him if they wanted to remove him from office.

The governor also announced that he will not resign during a press briefing. Stewart-Cousins delivered her statements shortly after, citing other issues regarding Cuomo’s administration.

“Everyday there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government. We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the COVID-19 nursing home data, and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project,” Stewart-Cousins stated.

She continued, “New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still facing the societal, health, and economic impacts of it. We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state, Governor Cuomo must resign.”

State Assembly Majority Leader Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) agreed that the allegations against the governor were “deeply disturbing, and have no place whatsoever in government, the workplace, or anywhere else.” He also questioned “the Governor’s ability to continue to lead this state,” but did not explicitly call for his resignation.

“We have many challenges to address, and I think it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York,” he continued.

The Assembly will have to vote to approve an impeachment against the governor for the measure to move forward under state law. The state Senate would then conduct an impeachment trial and vote on his removal.

Last week, the number of accusations against Cuomo increased to three: Lindsey Boylan, Charlotte Bennett, and Anna Ruch. Stewart-Cousins declared then that Cuomo must step down if the number further increased.

On Saturday, two more accusations were brought forth by former aides Ana Liss and Karen Hinton.

Cuomo has since issued an apology for making inappropriate comments but repeatedly denied improper physical contact.

Any further action will depend on the results of the investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James, Stewart-Cousins stated.

Source: New York Post