Cuomo Faces Heated Debate Over COVID Nursing Home Scandal as Dems Accuse Him of Lying to Congress

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faced heated criticism from fellow Democrats during a contentious debate, as accusations swirled over his alleged dishonesty to Congress regarding the reporting of COVID-19 nursing home deaths. The issue, long a flashpoint in Cuomo’s political career, has now resurfaced as an official investigation spearheaded by the Trump administration's Department of Justice, further clouding his bid for the mayoralty of New York City.

Throughout Wednesday night's debate, Cuomo steadfastly deflected questions about whether he misrepresented his involvement in drafting a New York State Department of Health report that significantly undercounted the number of pandemic-related nursing home fatalities. Rather than directly addressing the accusations, Cuomo dismissed the inquiry as mere partisan maneuvering and maintained, “The report did not undercount the deaths.” His avoidance drew immediate fire from opponents, notably Michael Blake, a former state assemblyman, who criticized Cuomo for his evasiveness: “The people died and he still won’t answer your questions.”

After persistent probing from moderators and rivals alike, Cuomo ultimately responded, albeit indirectly, stating, “No, I told Congress the truth... No, we did not undercount any deaths. When they are all counted, we’re number 38 out of 50...” Cuomo sought to frame New York’s response as comparatively effective given the early and severe onset of the crisis in the state. However, he again sidestepped the direct question of his personal role in producing the disputed report, a move that was met with laughter and skepticism from other candidates.

The controversy traces back to March 2020, when Cuomo enacted a directive barring nursing homes from refusing admission to patients who had tested positive for COVID-19. Intended to alleviate pressure on overcrowded hospitals, the policy saw more than 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients transferred into nursing homes, raising fears that it may have inadvertently fueled deadly outbreaks among the state’s most vulnerable residents. The policy was ultimately rescinded amid escalating public outcry and media scrutiny.

Subsequent investigations intensified the scrutiny. In March 2022, a report from the New York State Comptroller found that the state’s health department—under Cuomo’s leadership—“was not transparent in its reporting of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes” and at times understated the death toll by up to 50%. A separate review conducted by the state’s attorney general echoed those findings, indicating that families and lawmakers alike were misled about the true scale of the crisis.

Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller, did not mince words during the debate, asserting, "It's not only that Andrew Cuomo lied to Congress – which is perjury – he also lied to the grieving families whose loved ones he sent in to those nursing homes to protect his $5 million book deal." Lander called the revelations "corruption," underscoring the intense emotions and high stakes surrounding the issue as the mayoral race heats up.

With a federal criminal investigation now underway, the fate of Cuomo's political future—and his prospects for leading New York City—hangs in the balance. The allegations, paired with mounting evidence and vocal criticism from within his own party, have created fresh obstacles for a once-dominant figure in New York politics as voters and authorities alike demand transparency and accountability.