TRENTON, N.J. – The U.S. House of Representatives’ senior Republican and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy traded letters this week, an exchange resulting in a serious charge leveled by the former against the latter:
A cover-up.
–
The back-and-forth began when Rep. Steve Scaliese (R-LA) sent letters to four governors (including Murphy) asking them for information pertaining to mass COVID-19 deathes in their respective states’ long-term care facilities. Murphy responded refusing Scaliese on the grounds that the Republicans is not a committee chairman – only the ranking member of his committee given the Democrats’ control of the House.
Scaliese responded by accusing Murphy of “covering up data on nursing home deaths.” State legislative Republicans have leveled similar accusations in recent weeks.
New Jersey had lost 6,377 long-term care residents to the coronavirus, roughly half of the state’s total 12,835 death toll.
🚨 Just sent letters to the Democrat governors of NY, NJ, CA, PA, and MI demanding they explain why they ignored protocols and forced COVID-19 patients into nursing homes.
The outcome was devastating.
Families who lost loved ones deserve answers. This tragedy was avoidable. pic.twitter.com/jfizJJSyfV
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) June 15, 2020
NEW: NJ Gov. Murphy says that he won’t answer questions about his nursing home order because he doesn’t have to.
What is he hiding? Why won’t Democrats join us in trying to get this information?
40% of U.S. deaths were nursing home residents; grieving families deserve answers. pic.twitter.com/X8IR2wRGmA
— Select Committee Republicans (@SelectGOP) June 18, 2020
🚨 NJ Governor is covering up data on nursing home deaths.
He forced COVID patients into them—a protocol violation that killed thousands.
Now he's refusing to even answer questions about it.
What's he hiding? And why are Dems letting him hide it?
Families deserve answers now. pic.twitter.com/aySg363KuN
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) June 18, 2020