this is about those seniors Governor they deserve to hear from you in the eye that you apologize that you were negotiating for a multi-million doll book deal it is a disgrace there is a reason why you were the former Governor of New York State and you will never hold elected office again I feel genuinely ashamed for Governor Cuomo it's just baffling How could a governor someone elected to serve the people put himself above the very ones who trusted him to lead the people chose him to govern to put their needs first and yet he completely disregarded that responsibility it's an absolute disgrace and it makes you question the Integrity of those in power it's disappointing on so many levels today is long overdue and just as a reminder for the public tuning in we are here today on behalf of the over 15,000 vulnerable seniors in nursing homes who died because of Governor Cuomo's fatal EX EX cutive order on March 25th damning them to this horrible fate including constituents in my district and every congressional district in New York state okay I also want to recognize the families and Advocates who have been working tirelessly on behalf of their loved ones amidst this grief who have been smeared attacked and denigrated by Governor Cuomo and his most senior AIDS I completely agree let me begin in first after months of inquiry and investigation we now know irrefutably what New Yorkers have known for years that Governor Cuomo himself and his most senior AIDS ordered directed and executed this deadly executive order counter to CMS and CDC guidance I had no idea our investigation also reveals a bipartisan investigation that the disgraced former governor and his top AIDS were caught cover in up their culpability and guilt to selfishly save their shredded reputations I want to start with the March 25th directive isn't it correct former Governor that Dr zuker served as your Commissioner of health during the covid crisis yes and you have stated and shared that you have great respect for Dr zuker's work and professionalism you have said that in the past is that correct I don't know if I've used those words hey but I'll take your word for it do you have respect for Dr zooker and his professionalism are you aware that Dr zooker testified that the March directive was prompted by a direct request to you former Governor Cuomo from the greater New York Hospital Association are you aware of that fact I'm not aware of his testimony no is that right well that was what he testified to this committee Dr zooker also went on to say a quote greater New York Hospital Association called the governor and the team we were all there in a conversation end quote I also want to add are you aware that another staffer at the Department of Health testified that the March 25th order did receive sign off from the executive chamber are you aware of that fact uh no I'm aware of the testimony to the exact opposite that you received that's not right uh that that is incorrect he said yes absolutely that's not the testimony that I have before me the testimony I have before me when he was asked whether the March 25th order was signed off by the executive chamber the answer was yes absolutely and on top of that Dr zooker testified that quote everything goes to the governor's office and by the way Governor you and I both know that under your terrible leadership in New York everything does go through the governor's office correct my followup is it wasn't just the directive itself Governor it was the coverup this investigation found that you former governor and your most senior AIDS made a deliberate decision to exclude certain covid-19 related nursing home deaths to hide and undercount the actual mortality rate in nursing homes oh my God and for the public Governor Cuomo change the methodology of counting nursing home fatalities to exclude out of facility deaths to undercount those I want to ask you what period of time were you negotiating for your book deal congresswoman if there was a fact in what you said no I'm asking you a question I'm asking you a question what dates did you negotiate for your book deal that is the question before you today answering a question that the question that I asked my testimony says during that time did you have any discussions with the executive chamber regarding the need for guidance that's not the testimony I'm referring to absolutely was the answer Governor absolutely you're throwing your staff under the bus you are culpable for this my question to you is when were you negotiating for your multi-million dollar Advan deal for your book as seniors were dying in nursing homes that is the question in front of you why the you lying can't make up facts congresswoman you're the one making up facts you're the one who undercounted nursing home deaths you're the one who I want to ask right now you apologize today but there are families sitting here I want you to turn around look them in the eye and apologize what you have failed to do that just makes no sense it's just will you do it this is not about political theater it's about this about accountability why did 1.2 million Americans Die Why did more Americans die than any you're the former Governor disra president lie to the people was under your name it was countered to CDC and CMS president Trump this is about those seniors Governor they deserve hear from you in the eye that you apologize that you are negotiating for a multi-million dollar book deal it is a disgrace there is a reason why you were the former Governor of New York State and you will never hold elected office again I yield back fact and now Rec