The majority of New York Congressmen are calling for the resignation of the Cuomo government

Members of Congress in New York were largely silent when Democratic state lawmakers led the calls for Cuomo’s resignation following the allegations.

The amazing, coordinated announcements sent shock waves through the state and could indicate a turning point in two scandals that engulfed the three-term Democratic governor. Cuomo vehemently opposed the calls for his resignation and dismissed them as political maneuvers by his rivals. But the congressional group demanding his resignation included members from across the party’s ideological boundaries and included both senior figures attached to the state’s political institution and younger progressive lawmakers. Their decision follows another, less than 24 hours earlier, by Democrats in the state assembly to launch an indictment that will be conducted simultaneously with the State Attorney General’s independent investigation.

The source said the tipping point for members was a combination of the latest developments, including Carl Heastie, speaker of the state assembly, on Thursday that the Democrats would begin an indictment there. The decision to go in, almost all at the same time, was also an acknowledgment that when one makes the call, it would increase the pressure on the rest.

They join Rep. Kathleen Rice, who earlier this month became the first of 19 Democrats in the New York House delegation to drop Cuomo.

In separate statements, fellow Democrat representatives Grace Meng, Nydia Velázquez, Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, Mondaire Jones, Antonio Delgado, Sean Patrick Maloney, Brian Higgins and Paul Tonko Cuomo also requested to step down as governor.

The administration ignored Covid-19 deaths of residents transferred from the facility or hospitals, according to a statement from Attorney General Letitia James’ office. While the report found that the total number of deaths did not change, it led to a misrepresentation of the Covid-19 death toll in New York’s long-term care facilities.

Cuomo and his administration defended their decision, arguing that the federal investigation, as well as New York state lawmakers, asked questions, that the federal investigation had become their priority. The governor denies any suggestion of wrongdoing.

Nadler said Friday that the allegations against Cuomo are “serious” and credible, and that Cuomo “is a proper process by law,” but the question of confidence in the New York leader is a “political judgment.”

“The courage that individuals have shown in coming forward to share their experiences with Governor Cuomo is inspiring, and I stand with them,” he said. “The repeated accusations against the Governor, and the way he reacted to it, made it impossible for him to continue to rule at this stage.”

Several Democrats said Friday that New York Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation into Cuomo’s behavior should continue.

Schumer appeared on ABC’s “The View” on Thursday and said the allegations against Cuomo were “very disturbing” and should be thoroughly investigated by the Attorney General, but said Cuomo should leave office.

Gillibrand also did not ask Cuomo to resign and supports the New York Attorney – General’s investigation. On Wednesday, she refused to discuss with CNN why she viewed allegations against Cuomo differently from the accusations Franken faced.

However, she called Cuomo’s behavior “completely unacceptable” and said any allegation of sexual harassment “should be taken seriously and reviewed.”

Democrat Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who also chairs the Democratic caucus, told CNN last week that he did not believe Cuomo should resign, but called for a “full, fair, complete independent investigation.”

Jeffries spokeswoman Christie Stephenson told CNN on Friday that Congress’ position had not changed.

This story has been updated with additional information.