Albany, New York – The House subcommittee investigating the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has issued a subpoena to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The subpoena is related to Cuomo’s administration’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic, particularly focusing on the directive to admit recovering COVID-positive patients into nursing homes.
This development comes amidst continued scrutiny into Cuomo’s actions during the pandemic, including federal investigations into his handling of nursing homes. The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, chaired by Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup, is seeking to question Cuomo about the consequences of his administration’s directives on nursing homes.
Cuomo, once praised for his leadership during the pandemic, has defended his administration’s actions, arguing that they were based on federal guidelines. However, critics have pointed to increased deaths in nursing homes as a result of the directive. The committee stated that Cuomo’s testimony is vital in understanding the effects of federal guidance and regulations implemented during the pandemic.
The subpoena requests Cuomo’s appearance for a deposition on May 24 in Washington, as part of the committee’s ongoing investigation. The committee has accused Cuomo of delaying and undermining the investigation by not cooperating with requests for an interview. Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Galvin, disputed these claims, stating that Cuomo had agreed to a transcribed interview and provided dates for the interview.
In response to the subpoena, Cuomo’s spokesperson denounced the move as a “press charade” and accused Congress of playing politics with the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee emphasized the need for Cuomo to provide answers to the families of the 15,000 individuals who lost their lives in New York nursing homes during the pandemic.
The controversy surrounding Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic has raised questions about transparency and accountability in government responses to public health crises. The committee’s efforts to investigate the effectiveness of federal guidance and regulations in the context of nursing home policies shed light on the challenges faced by policymakers during times of crisis.