Scalise, Comer, Stefanik Press Hochul for Transparency on Nursing Home COVID Deaths

WASHINGTON—Republican Whip and Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Ranking Member Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.), and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) today called on New York Governor Kathleen Hochul to provide full and complete data about former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s deadly order sending COVID-positive patients to nursing homes.

“Governor Cuomo’s disastrous leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the deaths of thousands of senior citizens in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Grieving families across the Empire State deserve answers about why so many of their loved ones in nursing homes died from COVID-19,” said House Republican Whip Steve Scalise. “Governor Hochul must do the right thing and end Cuomo’s cover-up by making all data on COVID-19 nursing home fatalities related to his must admit order available to the public. These families deserve the truth and the ability to seek closure.”

“We owe it to the thousands of families who lost loved ones in New York nursing homes to hold Governor Cuomo accountable for his reckless policies that likely contributed to their deaths,” said Oversight Committee Ranking Member James Comer. “It’s past time New York officials provide Congress all information and data about former Governor Cuomo’s deadly order. We need answers and accountability now.”

“Every family deserves answers and accountability for Corrupt Cuomo’s order that resulted in the deaths of thousands of seniors in New York’s nursing homes. For the sake of families who needlessly lost loved ones, I am providing critical oversight of all data on Cuomo’s deadly order,” said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. “We must know how much Kathy Hochul knew about Cuomo’s criminal nursing home coverup and have accountability for the senseless loss of lives. I will always bring the concerns of New York’s 21st District families to the highest levels, and this information is critical to finding answers on behalf of New York families.”

Since June 15, 2020, Republicans on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis have been requesting data regarding COVID-19 positive patients in New York nursing homes. Unfortunately, former Governor Andrew Cuomo never responded to the lawmakers’ requests. Governor Hochul promised that her administration would be fully transparent regarding the data surrounding COVID-19 deaths and nursing home readmissions, but she has not provided answers to the families that lost loved ones in New York nursing homes.

The letter to Governor Hochul can be found here.