Cuomo resignation garners reaction from Congress: ‘The right thing’

Members of Congress from both parties welcomed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Tuesday resignation announcement, which came one week after state Attorney General Letitia James dropped a bombshell report detailing the Democrat’s sexual harassment of 11 women, including nine current or former state employees.

Rep. Katharine Clark (D-Mass.), the fourth-ranking House Democrat praised the governor’s accusers, tweeting: “Thank you to the brave women who came forward and put their careers and safety on the line to shine a light on these abuses of power.

“Together, we will build a culture of accountability and respect,” Clark added.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), lambasted Cuomo, describing the soon-to-be-former governor’s resignation speech with the Twitter hashtag, “#shameless.”

“After a dozen or more victims came forward about his outrageous and illegal behavior, Cuomo’s resignation speech was dedicated to empowering women,” Issa pointed out.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), who joined Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Gregory Meeks in calling for Cuomo to step down last week, said the governor had “done the right thing by resigning.

“There is no doubt that Andrew Cuomo has accomplished much for our state, from the property tax cap, to rebuilding our infrastructure, to instituting a $15 minimum wage and battling COVID,” Suozzi said in a statement. “It is imperative that our next governor continue the positive achievements of the Cuomo administration and help once again make New York the Empire State.”

Cuomo’s resignation will take effect in 14 days’ time. He will be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Hochul, who would become the Empire State’s first female governor.

“Kathy Hochul will be an extraordinary governor,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) told reporters Tuesday. “She understands the complexities and needs of our state, having been both a congresswoman and having been lieutenant governor for the last several years. She is ready and able and capable of being an extraordinary governor, and I look forward to supporting her and helping her as she turns towards governing our state in a very difficult and challenging time.”

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