Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 8/26/25… Yesterday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, and New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse demanding a written determination on whether then-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s March 25, 2020 nursing home directive complied with federal guidelines.

The directive, which forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, is linked to over 15,000 deaths during the early months of the pandemic, including 5,000 in New York City. Despite repeated claims from former Governor Cuomo and his Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker that the policy mirrored CDC and CMS guidance, bipartisan congressional reports have since determined otherwise.

In March, Congressman Lawler led his New York GOP colleagues in writing a letter to the CDC and CMS demanding clarity on the directive. 

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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The full letter can be found HERE.