#Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand call on Cuomo to resign over sex harass scandal

New York’s two Democratic congressional leaders, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, on Friday finally called on embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign over mounting sexual harassment accusations.

The two put out a damning joint statement saying Cuomo has “lost the confidence” to govern.

“Confronting and overcoming the Covid crisis requires sure and steady leadership. We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct,” Schumer and Gilibrand said.

“Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign,” they said.

The surprise joint statement came after both Schumer and Gillibrand, a noted women’s rights activist who has been quick to call for the ouster of other prominent men accused of sexual abuse or harassment, had resisted calls for the scandal-scarred Cuomo to step down.

Schumer had called the sex harassment accusations leveled against Cuomo “deeply troubling” but repeatedly said he has “full faith” in state Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation into the matter and would await the findings.

But that was before one young female aide accused Cuomo of reaching under her blouse and groping her while they were alone at the governor’s mansion. Cuomo denied the bombshell claim, which was forwarded to the Albany Police Department for review.

Gillibrand has faced criticism for cutting Cuomo more slack than other powerful men accused of allegedly abusive behavior toward women.

The junior New York senator led the charge resulting in former Minnesota Sen. Al Franken’s resignation over sexual misconduct claims.

But earlier this week Gillibrand told Yahoo Finance, “Asking every female elected in our state when a person should resign or not resign really isn’t the conversation we should be having.

“The women in our state are not meant to be judges, jurors and executioners.”

Gillibrand worked for Cuomo when the governor headed the federal Office of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton.

Meanwhile Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the powerful House Democratic Caucus chairman, also issued a strongly worded no-confidence statement about Cuomo, though he stopped just short of urging him to step down.

“Under these extraordinary circumstances, the governor must seriously consider whether he can continue to effectively lead the state. No one is above the law,” Jeffries said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Shortly after Schumer and Gillibrand released their statement, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli  and Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres joined the bandwagon and also urged Cuomo to step down for the good of the state.

“These allegations are extremely disturbing and are impairing Governor Cuomo’s ability to lead, as our state struggles through a crisis and must make critical budget decisions. It is time for him to step down,” DiNapoli said.

Torres said while Cuomo is entitled to due process, he faces of a “collapse of confidence” and can no longer govern. “Resignation is in the best interest of New York State,” he said. 

The avalanche of New York pols calling on Cuomo to resign comes a day after powerful  Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) announced that the judiciary committee would launch an impeachment investigation.