Disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has agreed to appear before a panel of House lawmakers to discuss his administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly focusing on the controversial policies enacted in New York nursing homes. The decision comes after a subpoena was issued by the Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, demanding his testimony on the matter.
The subpoena was issued over a month ago, following Cuomo's resignation in 2021 amid a series of scandals, including the alleged cover-up of COVID-19 deaths in New York nursing homes. Cuomo has consistently denied that his administration's policy requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-19-positive patients led to additional deaths.
Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), chairman of the subcommittee, announced on Friday that Cuomo will be testifying before the panel on June 11. This decision follows months of correspondence and negotiations with Cuomo's legal team. Wenstrup emphasized the importance of Cuomo's testimony, stating that it is vital for understanding the effectiveness of federal guidance and regulations during the pandemic.
Cuomo's administration had previously issued a controversial directive in March 2020, mandating that nursing homes must not refuse patients solely on the basis of a COVID-19 diagnosis. This policy has been criticized for potentially contributing to the spread of the virus among the most vulnerable populations.
The former governor's agreement to testify comes after he initially ignored the committee's requests for his appearance. Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, has claimed that the subpoena was unnecessary, as Cuomo had already offered to provide written answers and appear for voluntary interviews.
The House panel is also set to hear from Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has agreed to testify on the origins and government response to the pandemic. This series of hearings is part of a broader investigation by the subcommittee into the U.S. government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
As the date for Cuomo's testimony approaches, it remains to be seen how his statements will impact the ongoing discussions surrounding the pandemic response and the role of state and federal governments in managing public health emergencies.