ALBANY â Dozens of Senate and Assembly Republicans on Monday gathered to rally at the Million Dollar Staircase in the state Capitol to intensify their push for Democrats in the majority to vote to repeal Gov. Andrew Cuomoâs expanded authority during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Republicans introduced a hostile amendment during afternoon session for the 15th time since mid-January to repeal the governorâs additional spending powers and ability to hand down policies that the state Legislature approved March 3 in response to the pandemic. âAll these things weâre passing today donât mean anything as long as the governor retains his emergency powers â he can just override them by executive order,â Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, said on the chamber floor Monday while introducing the hostile amendment to rescind Cuomoâs authority on bill no. 3016A â a nursing home reform bill sponsored by Sen. Gustavo Rivera.