April 23, 2020 | 2: 18pm | Updated April 23, 2020 | 2: 55pm
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s refusal to open the federal coffers for coronavirus-stricken state and local governments is a historically “dumb” idea that reeks of “ugly” partisanship, Gov. Andrew Cuomo fumed Thursday.
After the Senate on Wednesday passed a $484 billion bailout bill — which did not include the help for states that Cuomo and other governors requested — McConnell (R-Ky.) suggested on talk radio’s “The Hugh Hewitt Show” that state governments file for bankruptcy.
“This is one of the really dumb ideas of all time,” a fiery Cuomo said during a Thursday press briefing in Albany. “That’s how you’re gonna bring this national economy back? By states declaring bankruptcy?
“You will see a collapse of this national economy.”
Cuomo also took aim at McConnell for a document distributed by his office, according to outlets including Politico, titled “Stopping Blue State Bailouts.”
“Vicious,” said Cuomo of the notion. “What he’s saying is … don’t help New York state because it is a Democratic state. How ugly a thought.”
“Just think of what he’s saying,” continued Cuomo. “Fifteen thousand people died in New York, but they were predominantly Democrats, so why should we help them?”
The three-term governor also pointed out the vast disparities that New York and Kentucky get in federal funding — as he offered a new nickname for the Kentucky lawmaker without prompting.
“Let me just go back to my self-proclaimed Grim Reaper Senator McConnell,” he said. “When it comes to fairness, New York state puts much more money into the federal pot than it takes out,” an imbalance that’s cost the Empire State $116 billion since 2015.
“The state of Kentucky takes out $148 billion more than they put in,” he added. “Senator McConnell, who’s getting bailed out here?”
The governor, who has spoken of his ability to work with President Trump on the coronavirus crisis despite their divergent politics, said that now is not the time for partisan division.
“That’s not who we are,” he said. “If there’s ever a time for humanity and decency, now is the time.”
In a show of that bipartisanship, outgoing Long Island Rep. Peter King, a Republican, panned McConnell late Wednesday as “the Marie Antoinette of the Senate” for his bankruptcy suggestion.
