Rockland Reporter

On June 12, 2024, Representative Mike Lawler (NY-17) held a press conference alongside House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) and New York Representatives Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Anthony D'Esposito (NY-04), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), Brandon Williams (NY-22), and Nick Langworthy (NY-23). The group addressed former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s deposition to the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic regarding his handling of COVID-19 in New York nursing homes.

"All of us from New York know full well Andrew Cuomo is a phony and a fraud," said Congressman Lawler. "He put our most vulnerable population at risk, resulting in the death of over 15,000 seniors. And it was Andrew Cuomo who covered it up. It wasn't just the directive, which was bad enough and idiotic and resulted in the death of the 15,000 seniors. It was Andrew Cuomo, for political purposes, who directed the state government to cover up the death toll."

Lawler further criticized Cuomo's financial gains from a book deal during this period: "It was Andrew Cuomo who had a blood money book deal making millions of dollars for himself at the expense of New Yorkers... We all know what happened. We all know what Andrew Cuomo did," he concluded. "He's a liar. He's a fraud. And there's a reason he's a disgraced ex-Governor."

Chairman Wenstrup commented on Cuomo's demeanor during his deposition: "The Governor was defensive throughout most of the day, often putting the blame on other people rather than himself... He didn't seem to be taking a lot of responsibility for what happened." Wenstrup added that it was perplexing how Cuomo could amend an executive order but not recall its origin.

Congresswoman Stefanik emphasized constituents' ongoing grief: "Each of our offices have heard from constituents who have lost loved ones resulting from Andrew Cuomo's fatal directive issued on March 25th regarding our nursing homes... But today's deposition was a step to delivering accountability."

Congressman Langworthy also stressed accountability: "Upwards of 15,000 families never got the appropriate opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one as they perished in a nursing home... He lacked empathy. He lacked apology. And he lacked accountability."

Congresswoman Malliotakis expressed frustration with Cuomo's responses: "To hear the Governor stonewalling for four years and then come before the committee to tell us that he did not know that this directive existed... that's very difficult for anyone with common sense to believe."

Congresswoman Tenney called out perceived arrogance: "In spite of other options available... these options were not used by Governor Cuomo because he's an arrogant, corrupt, uncaring person."

Congressman D'Esposito highlighted non-partisan concerns: "The people who died, their families are looking for answers because decisions he made were inhumane... It's about being a New Yorker."

Congressman Williams focused on misuse of power: "Governor Cuomo took unprecedented power and claimed unprecedented power... Even worse than incompetence is indifference."

Lastly, Congressman Molinaro pointed out clear evidence against Cuomo: "Andrew Cuomo knew that Health Department order was issued… This isn't about blaming Andrew Cuomo; this is about demanding accountability for people who lost loved ones."

Representative Mike Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District.

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