Rep Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI): The Democratic Party Needs Change
Alabama is a deeply red state, but Democrats snagged their first Senate seat in two decades this week, when Doug Jones beat out former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. But the highly controversial win is a sign that Democrats need to return to their core values, one congresswoman told Cheddar.
“[The Party] for years now has become more beholden to the elite powerful few and special interest, rather than actually representing the broad Democratic values that exist in the grassroots across the country,” Rep Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), told Cheddar.
Many politicians called constituents to go out and vote during this election, particularly because Moore was accused of predatory behavior with women and minors. Notwithstanding, during the elections President Donald Trump called on to constituents to go out and vote for Moore. Pundits also considered this election important because Republicans held the Senate majority with 52 seats, and this win gives Democrats some leverage ahead of elections in the coming year.
Gabbard, however, gives credit to the American people for Jones’ win and not the Democratic party.
“What you see are people saying my vote matters, my vote will make a difference,” she said.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/rep-tulsi-gabbard-d-hi-net-neutrality-decision-will-hurt-the-small-guy).
After a devastating mass shooting in Sacramento over the weekend that killed six people and wounded a dozen more, arguments about gun reform are also resurfacing. David Pucino, deputy chief counsel at Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, joined Cheddar News to talk about efforts to curb gun violence such as community intervention programs — and the more that needs to be done by lawmakers. "One thing that would be really important is at the federal level closing the loopholes that allow for private sales to go forward without a background check," he noted.
Christopher Wolfe, CIO at First Republic Private Wealth Management, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he says he is surprised that the first quarter was the first down period in a long time, but adds that the second quarter could be difficult with a lot of volatility expected.
Jeffrey Small, President of Arbor Financial, joins Chedar News' Closing Bell, where he breaks down why stocks closed near session lows on Wednesday and tells viewers what to expect ahead of next earnings season.
Uber and Lyft drivers are cruising in Washington State, the first U.S. state to set an earnings standard for drivers for the ride-hailing companies. Governor Jay Inslee signed the new minimum pay standard into law Thursday, which also gives drivers access to perks like paid sick time and family medical leave. John Logan, Director of Labor and Employment Studies at San Francisco State University, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Jeremy Berke, senior reporter on the cannabis industry for Business Insider, joins Cheddar Politics to discuss developments in cannabis legalization at the federal level. He helps break down the bill and what legalization efforts might look like in the Senate.
Selene San Felice, Tampa Bay reporter for Axios Local, and Jennifer Levi, director of the Transgender Rights Project at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) join Cheddar Politics to discuss the impact of the new law targeting LGBTQ communities in Florida schools.
Ryan Barber, justice correspondent at Insider, joins Cheddar Politics to discuss the latest developments in the January 6 investigation, including texts between Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.
Joel Rubin, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and president of the Washington Strategy Group, joins Cheddar Politics to discuss the latest developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The head of Russia’s space program says the future of the ISS hangs in the balance after the U.S., EU, and Canadian space agencies missed a deadline to meet Russian demands for lifting sanctions on Russian enterprises and hardware.
