'One of the really dumb ideas of all time': Cuomo mocks top Republican for saying states should go bankrupt

Governor also refers to Senator McConnell's suggestion as short-sighted and irresponsible

At his daily press briefing, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo mocked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's suggestion that economically struggling states should consider bankruptcy as "one of the really dumb ideas of all time."

On Wednesday, Senator McConnell, in reference to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, said: "I would certainly be in favour of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route. It’s saved some cities, and there’s no good reason for it not to be available."

Mr Cuomo expanded on his critique of the senator's suggestion by calling it short-sighted, and questioned how Mr McConnell expects governors to fund frontline workers and take the lead in crisis response, that the president has asked of them.

Mr McConnell also referred to providing federal support to the states as "blue state bailouts" given the current severity of the virus in predominantly Democratic voting states.

"How ugly a thought," said Governor Cuomo, adding that to further politically divide the nation at this time was "irresponsible."

The governor went on to say that we are all here to support each other and that political affiliation should never be a consideration as that is not who we are as a people.

"It's not red and blue. It's red, white and blue," Mr Cuomo said.

He went on to talk about fairness, explaining that each year New York state contributes more to the federal government than it takes out by $116bn, but Kentucky, Mr McConnell's state, takes out $148bn more than it contributes.

"Senator McConnell, who is getting bailed out here?"

Mr Cuomo was joined in his criticism of Senator McConnell by New York Republican congressman Peter King.

"To say that it is 'free money' to provide funds for cops, firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie Antoinette of the Senate," Mr King wrote.