Letter to the Hon. Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice - Scalise Joins Senators In Pushing Doj To Review Obstruction Of Justice In Ongoing Probe Of States' Covid Response In Nursing Homes

Letter

Republican Whip and Select Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a group of Senators in calling on the Justice Department to continue its probe into whether state officials failed to comply with federal guidelines or requirements for participation in federal programs in their response to coronavirus infections among seniors and nursing home residents. The lawmakers are also calling on the department to expand its review to consider whether any state officials sought to conceal failures or unfavorable information or otherwise obstruct justice.

"Nursing homes remain hotspots for the coronavirus, which is why we ask that DOJ continue to diligently investigate the extent to which four states' governors violated the civil rights of nursing home residents and failed in their duty of care. We also ask that you investigate whether any such state directives were inconsistent with guidelines or requirements for participation in Federal programs and determine whether there was a cover-up or obstruction of justice by public officials who were the subject of DOJ's investigations," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The Justice Department launched an investigation last August into whether state orders in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan violated the civil rights of senior citizens and nursing home residents. Since that investigation began, statements by New York state officials indicate that the state intentionally withheld data on the rate of COVID-19-related nursing home deaths. A subsequent report by the state's attorney general found that the actual rate of nursing home-related fatalities due to the pandemic was understated by as much as 50 percent.

Whip Scalise joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) as well as senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Click here or on the image below to read the letter.

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