Covid Made Cuomo a Star; Now He’s Under Pressure from House Lawmakers

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is about to face intense scrutiny regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he intends to defend his actions vigorously. This high-profile questioning is set to take place on Tuesday, conducted by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which is investigating government responses to the health crisis.

The hearing, which is controlled by Republicans, is expected to focus on several critical areas, including the nursing home policies implemented during Cuomo’s time in office. Lawmakers are determined to understand why the USNS Comfort hospital ship, sent to New York City to assist amid overwhelmed health care providers, was used so sparingly.

Republicans assert that their inquiry is a nonpartisan effort aimed at preventing mistakes in future crises, emphasizing the need for accountability from Cuomo. However, Cuomo’s team has expressed frustration with the inquiry, accusing Republicans of pursuing a partisan agenda reminiscent of former President Donald Trump.

Cuomo gained national attention for his engaging COVID-19 briefings at the start of the pandemic, which contributed to a rise in his popularity. However, his fall from grace was marked by his resignation in 2021 amidst allegations of sexual harassment, all of which he has denied. The hearing comes at a sensitive moment as Cuomo contemplates a potential political comeback, considering a run for either New York City mayor or even a return to his previous position as governor.

Cuomo’s strategy will likely frame the questioning as a partisan endeavor, which could provide him with a tactical advantage. Even with the pandemic’s political potency fading among voters, the inquiry itself might reignite memories of that challenging period for many New Yorkers.

Pollster Steve Greenberg from Siena College noted that while life in New York has largely returned to normal, the hearing could evoke significant recollections of the early pandemic days, particularly with Republicans pressing questions on Cuomo’s decisions.

Having served as New York’s governor for ten years, Cuomo has experience navigating congressional inquiries, having previously testified before lawmakers during his time as Housing Secretary under the Clinton administration. Earlier this year, he met privately with the subcommittee, indicating his readiness to confront political adversaries.

The impact of the hearing, however, may be dulled due to its timing coinciding with the first televised debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The scope and nature of the questioning remain uncertain, but it is expected to be challenging for Cuomo.

Republicans on the subcommittee emphasize the need to shed light on their past decisions, particularly concerning a directive issued in March 2020 that prohibited nursing homes from turning away COVID-positive patients. This order has faced significant backlash, with calls for accountability due to the resulting loss of life in those facilities.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, the only New Yorker on the committee, stated that “thousands of New Yorkers died” as a result, emphasizing that the inquiry is about answers for grieving families rather than political posturing.

Malliotakis accused Cuomo of attempting to avoid responsibility. “He shows no remorse,” she remarked, highlighting the concerns many have regarding his leadership during the crisis. The subcommittee intends to question him on the controversial nursing home policy, which aimed to prevent hospitals from being overrun during the height of the pandemic.

In addition to nursing home policies, the recent indictment of Linda Sun, a former state employee, may also come into focus. Sun has been accused of acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government while securing personal protective equipment and ventilators during Cuomo’s administration. This has raised further questions about decision-making during the pandemic.

While some Republicans aim to keep the focus on Cuomo, the former governor is likely to point fingers back at Trump. Cuomo has consistently claimed that criticisms of his handling of the pandemic are politically motivated, fueled by Republican attempts to deflect from their failures.

In his memoir, Cuomo suggested that the narrative surrounding nursing home deaths was part of a broader political strategy to blame Democratic governors for pandemic-related fatalities. He contends that his administration acted within legal guidelines and relied on federal guidance when developing the nursing home policy.

However, reports indicate that Cuomo and his aides worked to obscure nursing home death figures to manage the fallout from the policy decisions made during 2020. A memo released by the GOP-led subcommittee outlined these actions, indicating a systematic effort to manipulate information presented to the public.

In response, Cuomo’s spokesperson asserted that the GOP’s narrative is misleading. The controversy has sparked intense rhetoric from both sides, further politicizing the hearings. Cuomo’s team has dismissed the inquiry as a politically motivated attack on his administration, arguing that it disregards the complexities and challenges faced during the pandemic.

Despite the contentious atmosphere, Democratic members of the subcommittee have indicated that they will focus on the broader issues of pandemic response, including the implications of Trump’s actions as President. The hearing is positioned as an opportunity for all involved to reflect on lessons learned and the factors that contributed to the challenges faced in nursing homes during the pandemic.

Source: Particlenews