Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) took to the Senate floor Wednesday to criticize fellow members of Congress for working to approve billions of dollars in handouts to major corporations as the country is embroiled in a worsening cost-of-living crisis, a deadly pandemic, and an intensifying climate emergency.
“What is Congress doing right now, at a time when we face so many massive problems?” asked Sanders, the chair of the Senate Budget Committee. “The answer is that for two months, a 107-member conference committee has been meeting behind closed doors to provide over $50 billion in corporate welfare with no strings attached to the highly profitable microchip industry.”
“No, we’re not talking about healthcare for all,” the Vermont senator lamented. “No, we’re not talking about making higher education affordable. No, we’re not talking about making sure that young people can earn decent salaries when they become teachers.” “No, we’re not talking about leading the world in combating climate change. We’re talking about giving $50 billion in corporate welfare with no strings attached — a blank check — to the highly profitable microchip industry.”