Push For Federal Investigation Into New York Nursing Home Deaths Continue

ALBANY – The push for a federal investigation into New York State’s COVID-19 nursing home deaths continues.

New York State Republican lawmakers joined Congressman Tom Reed during a press conference in Albany Tuesday.

“We need the President’s Justice Department to look into this because that’s the only way we’re going to get the answers that we continue to seek,” said State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “It is the only way that the families, who lost loved ones, will get the information that they are rightfully owed, and will help bring closure to this very dark chapter in the response to the pandemic and currently their lives.”

Last week, Congressman Tom Reed sent a letter to the Acting U.S. Attorney General asking the Department of Justice to launch an investigation and subpoena Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration over COVID-19 nursing home policies and deaths.

Republicans have long criticized the Governor’s March 2020 order requiring nursing homes to re-admit COVID-positive patients. The Governor has said he was following CDC guidance.

“We have relayed our concern and push to make sure that we get an answer to our official request, and we are awaiting just like everyone else for an official response to that request,” said Congressman Reed.

When White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked if President Joe Biden would support a federal investigation into COVID-19 nursing home resident deaths in New York, she said it would be up to the Department of Justice to decide on any investigation.

In August, under the Trump Administration, the DOJ sent a letter to Governor Cuomo requesting data on nursing home deaths and infections. It’s unclear if the DOJ is still looking into that.

“Not only are we requesting of the Biden Administration to give a response to this request, specifically on the AG’s report, but we want to hear exactly where the Trump Administration Justice Department investigation is and where that is going and if they did close that out, what were the results of that,” furthered Congressman Reed.