U.S. Rep. Tom Reed speaks Tuesday during a news conference.

Lines are being drawn as dueling news conferences took place around the noon hour Tuesday. State Republicans were again seeking accountability regarding the 15,000 nursing home deaths that have occurred in New York state since early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This should not be a partisan issue,” said Sen. Rob Ortt, Republican minority leader who was surrounded by members of his party, including U.S. Rep. Tom Reed of Corning and Sen. George Borrello of Sunset Bay during the conference in Albany.

As one side was calling for an investigation by the Department of Justice regarding those deaths, state Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo was holding what appeared to be an impromptu press conference at the same time. This irked those Republicans who were united in their call during the gathering.

“I never heard the governor calling an unscheduled press conference in my life,” Reed said.

But this delicate issue, deeply personal and filled with grief, has the look of a major showdown. Last week, Reed — in a conference call with area media — said Cuomo’s days “were numbered” in Albany. Unsurprisingly, Cuomo has shined light on other aspects of the pandemic in recent days. His focus on been on vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations and positivity rates of COVID-19 that continue to decline.

Republicans, however, believe what went wrong in care facilities must be addressed. “This is about families in New York that have suffered tragedies,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay.

Viewership of the Republican stream was not impressive. Throughout much of their plea, less than 100 people were watching live on Facebook. Cuomo’s conference — at the same time — was not streamed.

Before the briefing, Senate Aging Committee Chair Rachel May rejected a motion that would have immediately launched a bipartisan investigation into the issue saying in committee, “I don’t see the point.”

The motion, which would have compelled state Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker to appear before the committee for questioning, was brought by Sen. Sue Serino and was supported by Borrello, committee member.

“The momentum towards the truth is growing, as is public anger over attempts to conceal information about the state’s actions and response with regard to the COVID-19 crisis in our nursing homes,” Borrello said. “As a separate, co-equal branch of government, the Legislature is supposed to be a check on the Executive and, as such, has a responsibility to lead the effort to uncover the truth on this issue, not only for those families who lost loved ones, but for all New Yorkers who expect transparency, integrity and accountability from their elected officials. In blocking our motion in committee today to issue subpoenas for an investigation, they are putting partisanship ahead of their public service obligation, which is inexcusable.”

Pressure on Cuomo and many in his administration has been building since late January — some of whom have since resigned — after a report was issued by state Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, on how a number of homes failed to follow proper infection-control protocols as the virus raged. The document noted patients with COVID-19 were mingled in some homes with residents who didn’t yet have the virus. Staff members weren’t properly screened for illness. Some homes made sick employees keep coming to work, even though they could potentially infect others on the job. Others maintained dangerously low staffing levels that endangered residents.