As the Senate enters a new phase of President Donald Trump's impeachment, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) tells Cheddar he sees three things on trial: the U.S. Senate's reputation, the president's behavior, and the American system of justice.
Fifty-three senators in the 116th Senate hold law degrees and will be able to draw upon that knowledge when they enter the chamber to debate the merits of the articles of impeachment.
Kaine and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino member in Congress, both told reporters Wednesday that they have been able to use their legal training and experience as practicing attorneys during the trial.
Some of the Republicans expected to break party rank to vote in favor of hearing witnesses hold law degrees too. Senators Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) hold law degrees from Harvard University and New York University, respectively. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) worked as an attorney for nearly a decade before joining the Senate.
Before going home to Richmond last weekend, Kaine told Cheddar he viewed the impeachment as putting the president's conduct is on trial along with the capability of the Senate. But after going home and speaking to people at gas stations and grocery stores, he found that the public sees this as a trial of our justice system. "I had thought of it more as the Senate's reputation or what the president's behavior was, but people were talking to me this weekend about that," said Kaine.
"A lot of people in this country have real questions about whether our justice system delivers impartial justice. Does our justice system deliver impartial justice?" he asked. "Or is there a different system for the rich and powerful folks?"
Though Kaine said he hadn't yet brought that point up to his Republican colleagues, he told Cheddar he plans to during the deliberation period about calling witnesses. Senators will have four hours to debate the question of witnesses or documents before voting, which is expected on Friday.
"That's certainly something I'm going to share with them," the senator stated.
During today's press conference, Kaine emphasized that "not once in 17 years did I ever have a trial where there were no witnesses or documents," and he believed that the American people would be able to discern between what a trial is and isn't. However, he told reporters that if no witnesses are called, it will support the "cynicism and anxiety about our system of justice" many Americans might be feeling.
Russia has defaulted on some of its foreign debt as a tidal wave of western sanctions threatens its economy. The credit ratings agency S&P has placed Russia under "selective default" after it tried to pay its latest obligations in rubles. Russia now has a 30-day grace period to resolve the issue, but Moscow is threatening to take legal action. George Seay, Annandale Capital's CEO, joined Cheddar to break down what this means, and how Russia defaulting on its debt might impact the global economy.
China's zero-covid policy may pose a wide-ranging threat to the local, and overseas economy. Analysts voicing concern on the strict lockdown in Shanghai as businesses and ports remain shuttered, potentially threatening the global supply chain. Shehzad H. Qazi, Managing Director, China Beige Book International joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
The consumer price index in March rose by 8.5% from a year ago, the fastest annual gain since December 1981 and one-tenth of a percentage point above the estimate. The rise in prices is driven by strong consumer demand, supply-chain disruptions and skyrocketing energy costs related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Heather Boushey, Council of Economic Advisers Member for President Biden, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to give her reaction to the latest inflation numbers.
As China faces backlash from its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. is strengthening its relationship with India. India is expected to become one of the top three economic powers in the world over the next 10 to 15 years, bolstered by technological advances and the manufacturing sector. Samir Kapadia, CEO and Principal of The Vogel Group, joined Cheddar to discuss the state of India's economy, and how it can only grow from here.
With the midterms just a few months away, record-setting inflation is weighing on the minds of voters. According to a recent CNN poll, a majority of voters said the state of the economy will play a key role in how they cast their ballot, and 55% said the same of inflation. Joseph Zeballos-Roig, Economic Policy Reporter for Insider, joined Cheddar to discuss how inflation could shape the 2022 midterms, and ultimately determine the balance of power in Congress.
The Brooklyn subway attack is the latest in a string of high-profile crimes that have plagued New York City. The surge in crime comes as cities across the country are trying to recover from the pandemic and bring life back to a sense of normal. Joseph Giacalone, professor at John Jay College and retired NYPD sergeant, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to explain what's behind the rise in crime, and what can be done about it.
After failing to take control of northern and western Ukraine, Russia is shifting its focus to the east. As both sides continue to pour reinforcements into the region, officials are expecting more conventional combat involving tanks, artillery, and aircraft that could shape the war's biggest battles yet. Doug Collins, a former Georgia congressman, joined Cheddar to discuss the change in Russia's tactics.
Catching you up on what you need to know on Apr 14, 2022, with the U.S. sending $800M to Ukraine, updates on the subway shooting in Brooklyn, Gov. Abbott putting a pause on his southern border truck inspections, migrants being bused from Texas to Washington, DC, the travel mask mandate extending until May 3, and more.
This March 19, 2018, file photo shows the Yelp app on an iPad in Baltimore. Yelp reports financial results Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The online review service will cover the travel expenses of employees who have to travel out of state for abortions, joining the ranks of major employers trying to help workers affected by restrictions being placed on the procedure in Texas and other states. The benefit announced Tuesday, April 12, 2022 covers Yelp's entire workforce of 4,000 employees, but seems most likely to have its biggest immediate impact on its 200 workers in Texas, which has passed a law banning abortions within the state after six weeks of pregnancy. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
