U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik representing New York's 21st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik representing New York's 21st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
Washington, D.C. – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik joined Select Subcommittee on COVID-19 Chairman Brad Wenstrup and members of the New York Republican delegation to discuss the deposition of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The discussion centered on the deaths of tens of thousands of New York seniors due to Cuomo's COVID-19 policies, his alleged subsequent coverup, and ongoing efforts to hold him accountable.
Stefanik remarked: "This day has been a long time coming. Each of our offices have heard from constituents who have lost loved ones resulting from Andrew Cuomo‘s fatal directive issued on March 25, regarding our nursing homes, forcing nursing homes to take positive COVID patients. So today’s deposition was a step in delivering accountability and delivering long overdue answers to those families who are still mourning the loss of their loved ones."
She highlighted key moments from the deposition: "The deposition began with Governor, former Governor, Cuomo‘s lawyer adamant that I could not ask questions since I’m not a member of the Committee. What we informed her and I informed her was that I was going to ask questions as Chair of the House Republican Conference waving onto the Committee and like other New Yorkers, ask questions on behalf of my constituents."
Stefanik further noted: "The former Governor called Democratic staff members conspiracy theorists, bizarre, obsessive when it came to Democrat staff’s questions regarding Cuomo‘s team cooking the books when it came to testing numbers." She added that under her questioning, Cuomo admitted that "the New York directive language on March 25 was not the same language as CMS guidance despite his public attempt to point fingers and blame CMS to try to blame President Trump."
Cuomo also criticized Tish James’ report as overly political and smeared Kathy Hochul, who served as his Lieutenant Governor at the time. Regarding inappropriate behavior by his staff towards families who lost loved ones in nursing homes, Stefanik reported that he admitted such actions were unkind and inappropriate.
Additionally, Stefanik stated: "He also went so far as to say that his senior staff... suggested other members lie on depositions... 'Suggesting to lie is not perjury,' so he is complicit in obstructing justice." When asked if he apologized or took accountability for these actions during hours-long questioning sessions, Cuomo eventually acknowledged responsibility by stating: "Ultimately as the New York Governor, there is accountability for how they handled nursing homes."
Stefanik concluded by emphasizing continued efforts: “This is an important step. We’re going to continue doing the important work of this Select Committee.”
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