Impeachment appears inevitable for embattled NY Governor Andrew Cuomo as the committee which would kick off proceedings says it is nea...
Impeachment appears inevitable for embattled NY Governor Andrew Cuomo as the committee which would kick off proceedings says it is nearing the end of its investigation, and 86 lawmakers say they would vote him out - ten more than the majority that's needed.
The Assembly Committee has sent a letter to Cuomo asking him to submit 'evidence' to plead his case, according to Newsday's Albany Bureau Chief.
The committee also told him its investigation is 'nearing completion'.
That committee is scheduled to meet on Monday to decide the next step which would be to formally launch impeachment proceedings.
In that scenario, the first step would be a vote among the 150 members of the NY Assembly and a simple majority of 76 is needed to move it on.
Eighty-six members have already told The Associated Press that they would vote to impeach him.
New York Speaker Carl Heastie, who would oversee impeachment proceedings against Cuomo, released this statement on Tuesday saying an investigation was underway and would conclude 'expeditiously'. Critics say the legislature needs to act fast to remove the Governor, who has 'lost the confidence' of his peers
Carl Heastie, the Assembly Speaker, who would oversee the proceedings, said the investigation would be completed 'expeditiously'
Then, the vote would go to the next stage, the High Court of Impeachment which would be made up of all of the state's senators and seven judges from the Court of Appeals.
That process could, however, take months. In the meantime, Democrats are hoping he will resign so they can avoid the prolonged process.
Kathy Hochul, the Lieutenant Gov., would replace Cuomo if he is impeached or resigns first.
The Assembly includes 106 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one Independent. At least 40 of the 83 Assembly members who say they are ready to start impeachment proceedings are Democrats.
Assembly Democrats, who lead the chamber, debated virtually for hours Tuesday about whether to impeach the governor now, wait to see whether he resigns, or give the Assembly Judiciary Committee time to wrap up its wide-ranging investigation.
The Judiciary Committee is investigating topics from sexual misconduct to the Cuomo administration´s months long obfuscation of the total number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19.
Some said the Assembly should vote for impeachment now, while others said the chamber should impeach Cuomo if he doesn't resign.
Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay urged Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, to convene an emergency special session to vote to impeach Cuomo.
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