AOC Calls for ‘Full Investigation’ Into the Cuomo Administration’s Handling of Nursing Home Deaths

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is calling for a “full investigation” into the way New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) administration handled COVID-19 related deaths in nursing homes.

“I support our state’s return to co-equal governance and stand with our local officials calling for a full investigation of the Cuomo administration’s handling of nursing homes during COVID-19,” she said in a statement on Friday.

She added, “Thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers lost their lives in nursing homes throughout the pandemic. Their loved ones and the public deserve answers and transparency from their elected leadership, and the Secretary to the Governor’s remarks warrant a full investigation.”

Cuomo is receiving backlash from both Republicans and Democrats. On Wednesday, nine Republicans urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate the matter, according to Politico.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and the group wrote a letter calling on Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the committee’s chair, to launch the investigation after one of Cuomo’s aides admitted the administration withheld data on the number of deaths.

“The American people deserve to know the extent to which Governor Cuomo and his senior staff violated the civil rights of New York seniors, lied to the Department of Justice about their actions, and violated federal civil and criminal laws in the process,” the group wrote.