Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), a noted proponent of environmental protection efforts, said that the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg could end up having dire consequences for the nation's fight against the climate crisis.
"It has enormous impact, both directly and indirectly," said Merkley, citing Supreme Court decisions that have disenfranchised voters, which he says ultimately helps fossil fuel companies.
"It is a very big deal, indeed, to lose a champion for civil rights and election integrity, as well as a champion for consumer interest over corporate interest because there is, of course, vast corporate interest in the fossil fuel world and they are winning case after case before the court," he added.
The fossil fuel industry already has an outsized impact on blocking climate regulations, using "dark money" extensively to sway votes that favor their businesses, the senator said.
In an effort to combat extreme weather affecting the U.S., Merkley and other Senate Democrats formed a special committee.
"I think we are now building tremendous political momentum to address this challenge," he said.
The committee, according to Merkley, wants to designate "$400 billion per year" to battle climate change, as well as "provide extensive subsidies" that would fast-track the transition to renewable energy.
He also said it would set 2035 as a target for the U.S. to completely stop selling fossil-fueled cars, vans, and pickup trucks.
However, in order to affect change, the group of Democrats currently needs to work with Republicans and President Donald Trump, who often downplays the reality of the climate crisis and the science backing it.
"It's a complete failure of leadership on, perhaps, the most important issue facing human civilization on this planet," Merkley said.
In order for the U.S. to reverse course on climate, according to the senator, the best option is to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
"In other words, putting America back in a position of global dialogue, global leadership so we're not only getting our own house in order, we're working in partnership with the world. It's only through that kind of partnership that human civilization is going to be able to tackle this issue,"
Tensions in Ukraine continue to rise. According to NATO and U.S. officials, Russian troops are still being built up despite Moscow's claims of de-escalation. However, Ukraine does not believe the troops are enough to mount an invasion. The government in Kyiv has also reported several cyber attacks against its defense agencies and banks which is the largest attack in the country's history. Foreign Affairs Reporter based in Ukrain, Terrell Starr, joined Cheddar to discuss more
A Senate bill unveiled on Wednesday looks to tackleonline safety for children by regulating Big Tech and social media platforms to deter users from content that can harm their mental health. Irene Ly, a policy counsel for the age-based ratings and review organization Common Sense Media, joined Cheddar News to break down the potential of the Kids Online Safety Act. "We can't be imposing such a big burden on parents to be doing it all on theirselves," Ly said. "I think you also have to keep in mind that parents often didn't grow up with social media, so they don't understand what it's like to be addicted to social media or really understand how they work."
The Federal Reserve minutes from its January meeting are indicating it's sticking to an interest rate hike in March, but what does the report coupled with ongoing inflation mean for investors going forward? Scott Brown, a market strategist at LPL Financial, joined Cheddar News to break down the minutes and talk about how investors might navigate the rest of the year. "it seems like the market is kind of inclined to trade off these headlines, really, through the first half of the year," he said. "And then, oh, don't forget, we've got midterm elections, which always tend to add a little bit of volatility in the second half of the year." Brown noted that the path forward for stock investors in 2022 would be "rockier" than last year.
Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have introduced a new bill to afford greater protection to minors on social media. The genesis of the Kids Online Safety Act came from a Facebook whistleblower case exposing the harm apps can have on the mental health of young girls.
The Chinese government brought the sitcom "Friends" back to its streaming services. However, it had instances of LGBTQ+ references left out, after the series had been banned on Chinese streaming platforms for years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a national public order emergency as a 'last resort' to restore order after protests have significantly disrupted daily life and impacted the local economy since the protests began. It is the first time in 50 years a Canadian government has taken this type of action. Myah Ward, breaking news reporter at Politico, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
Almost a decade after facing a parent's worst nightmare, the families of the young students killed in the Sandy Hook School shooting reached a settlement with gun manufacturer Remington, makers of the Bushmaster AR-15 used in the crime. David Pucino, deputy chief counsel, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence joined Cheddar News to discuss the families' case and how its strategy brought about the legal settlement. "They built a really great case showing the way that Bushmaster developed its advertising to drive sales using those toxic messages.
A new analysis reveals that for more than two decades, the West has been the driest it has ever been since 800 A.D. The drought which began in 2000 has brought more devastating wildfires and draining water reserves well below healthy levels. Climate Scientists and Adjunct Associate Research Scientist at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University,Benjamin Cook, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
