Key NY congressional Democrats call for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid harassment claims
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Nearly a dozen members of New York’s congressional delegation on Friday called on embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign, a dramatic escalation in the push to remove the governor from office amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
A majority of the state’s congressional delegation has now mobilized against Cuomo, the latest sign of his crumbling support from one-time allies in Washington.
The list includes senior Democratic committee chairs — Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velázquez — who have worked with the Cuomo family for decades, as well as high-profile progressives, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mondaire Jones and Jamaal Bowman.
The group of Democrats demanding Cuomo’s resignation hailed mainly from districts in or surrounding New York City, such as Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Yvette Clarke and Grace Meng. But it also included Rep. Antonio Delgado, whose sprawling district includes the Hudson Valley, and Rep. Brian Higgins, who represents Buffalo. All 11 lawmakers released statements Friday morning within minutes of one another, suggesting a coordinated effort to push Cuomo out of office.
“Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of the people of New York,” Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. “Governor Cuomo must resign.”
The governor’s office did not immediately return a request to comment Friday. Cuomo’s allies had been trying to rally Democrats around the idea of waiting on the conclusion of independent investigations into the allegations before passing judgement or calling for him to step aside.
Video: Gillibrand’s stance on Cuomo allegations contrast with past comments about Trump, Clinton, Kavanaugh, Franken (FOX News)
Gillibrand’s stance on Cuomo allegations contrast with past comments about Trump, Clinton, Kavanaugh, Franken
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The New York governor has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct ranging from lewd conversation to groping a staffer in the governor’s mansion late last year — an allegation that was recently referred to police in Albany.
Cuomo has denied the allegations made against him, but apologized for making people feel uncomfortable with his actions. He has also steadfastly refused to step down and said it would be anti-democratic for him to do so.
Several key New York Democrats did not take part in Friday’s campaign, including House Democatic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney.
New York Attorney General Tish James is in the midst of an investigation into the allegations made against Cuomo in recent weeks, an effort anchored by a pair of outside attorneys. And the Democrat-led state Assembly, which would initiate potential impeachment proceedings, on Thursday announced plans to launch a probe of its own with subpoena power.
The ten lawmakers join Rep. Kathleen Rice, who was among the earliest elected Democrats to call for the governor to step down. Republicans in New York’s congressional delegation and on the state level have also demanded Cuomo’s ouster.
Senators have not been quick to ask for Cuomo’s exit, including the New York delegation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the most recent allegation “nauseating” on SiriusXm satellite radio on Thursday and has called for an investigation, but has stopped short of telling Cuomo to go as of Friday morning. Schumer is up for reelection in 2022 and could face a primary challenge from the left from one of the progressive House members.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who was among the senators that pushed for former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) to resign amid a drip of allegations, said that the state AG should probe the “serious” allegations.
Burgess Everett contributed to this report.