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,"
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri faced a bipartisan Congressional grilling this week as the Senate inquired about safety practices for protecting the mental wellbeing of young people on the platform. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Cheddar to talk about the hearing and how she was disappointed in Instagram coming unprepared with relevant information or documents. Blackburn also offered concern that the platform could continue with building a kids-only version despite having drawn significant opposition from the public.
The Great Resignation has shown some signs of slowing in October with the number of those who quit their jobs falling by 4.7 percent to 4.16 million. This comes as worker strikes and calls for unionization ramp up. Jane Oates, president at WorkingNation joined Cheddar's "Opening Bell" to discuss the implications.
U.S. markets opened lower despite positive jobs data, which saw weekly claims drop to a 52-year low. Kevin Nicholson, Co-CIO Global Fixed Income, RiverFront Investment Group joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the labor market, inflation, and the impact of the Omicron variant on global markets.
A packed Thursday pod: Carlo and Baker cover the latest developments in the Ghislaine Maxwell, Jussie Smollett and Elizabeth Holmes trials. Plus, Dems are losing the Hispanic vote, Boris Johnson in trouble again, and is it possible that Adele has peaked?
Jim Bruderman, Vice Chairman at 1879 Advisors, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he says investors experienced a 'panic attack' last week with the spread of the Omicron variant and the Fed's tapering plans. As a result, he says we're now seeing stocks climb due to a growing comfort level toward both developments.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, faced withering questions on Capitol Hill about the reports the social media app was aware of the severe mental health impacts it was having on teenage girls. Karen Kornbluh, the director of digital innovation and democracy for the German Marshall Fund, joined Cheddar to discuss the rare show of bipartisan outrage on display at the Senate hearing. "The senators came really loaded for bear on both sides of the aisle," she said. Kornbluh explained how senators like Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) set up fake Instagram accounts with teen girl profiles in order to research the effects firsthand.
The Biden administration will not send an official U.S. delegation to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as a statement against China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang." Weifeng Zhong, senior research fellow at George Mason University's Mercatus Center, joins Cheddar News to discuss the boycott.
