New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand say Gov. Andrew Cuomo 'should resign'

• New York's two Democratic US senators on Friday called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to step down.
• In a joint statement, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said Cuomo "should resign."
• The call came after a half-dozen women accused Cuomo of sexual harassment.

New York's two Democratic US senators said Friday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo should step down amid allegations from six women that he engaged in sexual harassment.

In a joint statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Cuomo "should resign."

"Confronting and overcoming the COVID crisis requires sure and steady leadership," the senators said, commending the women for coming forward with their "serious allegations of abuse and misconduct."

Calling their allegations "credible," the senators said "it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York."

The statement is the clearest sign yet that Cuomo has lost the trust of powerful Democratic leaders from New York. Earlier in the day, a majority of the state's congressional delegation called on him step down, saying the allegations against him were "alarming."

Cuomo has denied the allegations and said on Friday that he would not resign.

"I did not do what has been alleged, period," Cuomo said on a conference call on Friday.

"I never harassed anyone. I never abused anyone. I never assaulted anyone," Cuomo added during the call. "Is it possible I have taken a picture with someone? Yes. And that is what you're hearing."

On Thursday, meanwhile, New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said he was authorizing an impeachment inquiry. The state's attorney general is also conducting an independent investigation.