Senator Oberacker Calls for Accountability

ONEONTA – 01/29/21 – Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C-Schenevus) today joined with members of the Senate Republican Conference in calling on New York’s Congressional Delegation to immediately obtain an update from the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice on its inquiry into New York State’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in our nursing homes.  The request comes in the wake of Attorney General Letitia James’ disturbing report on the underreporting of nursing home deaths.

“The numbers don’t lie…except when they do,” said Senator Oberacker.  “Governor Cuomo and his administration have been dodging questions and stonewalling on the true nursing home statistics throughout this crisis.  A full investigation from the United State Department of Justice is more than warranted.  Those who have lost loved ones deserve honest answers and our most vulnerable deserve protection moving forward.”

Senator Oberacker, along with the rest of the Senate Republican Conference, have called for the resignation of NYS Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, as well as a full investigation into Governor Cuomo’s handling of COVID-19 in the state’s nursing homes.

For months, Governor Cuomo and his administration have refused to be transparent and failed to take responsibility for the negative consequences of their actions during this public health crisis, especially the deadly March 25, 2020 order to send COVID-positive patients into nursing homes.

Furthermore, the Senate Republican Conference has been calling on Senate Democrats for months to use the subpoena power they have repeatedly chosen not to use in order to obtain the answers New Yorkers deserve, particularly those who have lost loved ones in nursing homes during the pandemic.

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