Garbarino Leads Letter from NY GOP Congressional Delegation to Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of Merrick Garland Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Andrew Garbarino and every member of New York’s Republican Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin and the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley ahead of Judge Merrick Garland’s confirmation hearing to be the U.S. Attorney General.
Specifically, this letter requests that during Judge Garland’s confirmation he be asked a line of questioning about the role the U.S. Department of Justice should play in any investigation of a sitting Governor and his/her administration who conceivably obstructed justice. Additionally, the letter asks that Judge Garland make a strong statement promising to follow through with a proper obstruction of justice investigation into Governor Cuomo and his administration.
This letter is sent in addition to the letter the Republican members of the New York Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson requesting the DOJ to open an obstruction of justice investigation into the Governor and his administration. To date, a response has yet to be received.
“Governor Cuomo and his administration must be held accountable for not only recklessly putting New York seniors in harms’ way, but for admittedly hiding the facts from the Department of Justice,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino. “The Governor’s wrongdoings did not disappear with Joe Biden’s election, and it is imperative that the U.S. Attorney General, no matter their political affiliation, conduct an immediate and independent investigation into Governor Cuomo’s obstruction of Justice. I’m proud to lead the New York Republican Congressional Delegation in this request, on behalf of every New Yorker who lost a loved one because of Gov. Cuomo’s failures.”
“The cover-up of nursing home deaths by Governor Cuomo and his staff warrants a full federal investigation,” said Rep. Chris Jacobs. “The urgency of the situation is further underscored by the growing bipartisan calls for a such an investigation. President Biden promised an independent Department of Justice. With the announcement that an investigation is now underway, it is imperative that the President’s nominee for Attorney General will allow that investigation to proceed without interference. New Yorkers need answers, transparency, and accountability.”
“Every week we are learning more and more about Governor Cuomo’s alleged coverup and negligence to protect our elderly residents,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “The Governor has abused his powers, stonewalled state legislators and the media, and his own Chief of Staff admitted a coverup occurred. The Department of Justice must continue their independent investigation into Governor Cuomo’s communications surrounding his March 25 directive to ensure justice can be served for the thousands of New York families who lost loved ones.”
“The thousands of families who have lost loved ones due to Gov. Cuomo’s disastrous decision to put COVID-19 positive patients into nursing homes deserve answers,” said Rep. Tom Reed. “If Judge Merrick Garland is committed to overseeing an impartial, fair Department of Justice, he should be asked to address his commitment to a full obstruction of justice investigation. We are hopeful the Senate Judiciary Committee will head our call for action and do their part to ensure justice is served for the people of New York.”
“It’s absolutely imperative that the Senate Judiciary Committee questions President Biden’s nominee for U.S. Attorney General, Merrick Garland, about the Department of Justice’s investigation into Governor Cuomo’s obstruction of justice during his confirmation hearing next week,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik. “The American people, especially New Yorkers, deserve to know that their Attorney General will undoubtedly follow through with an impartial, independent, and thorough investigation into Governor Cuomo’s obstruction of justice and fatal nursing home order that led to the deaths of thousands of innocent nursing home residents.”
“The revelation that Governor Cuomo’s Administration intentionally withheld data regarding nursing home deaths is simply unconscionable,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney. “Any nominee to be Attorney General should commit publicly to ensuring that a fair, fully transparent and impartial investigation into this matter is conducted swiftly and that any criminal activity is fully prosecuted. No elected official should get away with obstructing justice.”
"The families of thousands of dead New York seniors deserve accountability and justice for the true consequences of Governor Cuomo's fatally flawed nursing home policy, and the Department of Justice is in a unique position to deliver,” said Rep. Zeldin. “It's clear what happened here was criminal, and, as the nominee for Attorney General, Judge Merrick Garland must commit, on behalf of the grieving New York families, to fully investigating the blatant wrongdoing of Governor Cuomo and his administration. Any criminality must be prosecuted."
The full letter can be found here.