We speak with Rep. Jamie Raskin about his wife Sarah Bloom Raskin’s grilling by a Senate panel Thursday over her qualifications to be President Biden’s nominee for the top bank regulator, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Republicans claim that her past statements on climate change have shown she could use this position to discourage banks supplying fossil fuel companies with loans. Raskin stated that if she were confirmed, she would be unable to take such actions. “What they’re attacking is the idea there can be citizens who are fully aware of climate change and take it seriously, who can serve honorably and lawfully in other capacities,” says Rep. Raskin. “It is just an outrageous attack on her qualifications.” We’re also joined by “Love & the Constitution” director Madeleine Carter, whose film premieres Sunday.
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be final.
AMY GOODMAN:Finally, Congressmember Raskin: Could you comment on yesterday’s hearing regarding your wife’s confirmation to the Federal Reserve? The Washington Post described, “Sarah Bloom Raskin is championed by Democrats eager to install a bank regulator with a focus on climate change, and criticized by Republicans who don’t believe climate change belongs in conversations about the financial system or economic stability.” It was a serious grilling in the Senate Banking Committee.
REP. JAMIE RASKIN: Right. And, well, let’s just say this. I wasn’t there, and I had some hearings of my own, so I only caught parts of it. Sarah has been unanimously, or nearly unanimously, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in bipartisan manner twice, as a governor at the Federal Reserve Board as well as as deputy secretary of Treasury. None of this is about Sarah’s qualifications to be a member of the Senate. She has been confirmed twice already by the Senate.
All of this is about statements and writings she has made about climate change. She has stated that she will comply with the law and work within the Fed’s dual mandate. But what they’re attacking is the idea that there can be citizens who are fully aware of climate change, who take it seriously, who can serve honorably and lawfully in other capacities. It’s just an outrageous attack on her qualifications, of course. But she’s tough. But on just the idea that you can even be cognizant of climate change and serve in different governmental functions, it’s an amazing thing.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, husband of Sarah Bloom Raskin, member of the House select committee investigating the January 6th Capitol insurrection, lead impeachment manager in President Trump’s second impeachment trial. Jamie Raskin’s new book is Unimaginable: Trauma, Truth, & the Trials of American Democracy. I want to close by asking Madeleine Carter, director of the new, MSNBCDocumentary Love & the ConstitutionWhat do you want people to take away and why did you name the film, “The Premiere Sunday Night” Love & the Constitution.
MADELEINE CARTER:I want people understand that one person can make an impact. Jamie is making a huge impact on democracy and saving constitutional democracy. But, one person can make an impact by driving a neighbor along to the polls. So, there’s plenty of work to be done by all of us. So, that’s my main message.
Then, it is time to name it Love & the ConstitutionThat title was actually what I thought of at 2 AM in October. It truly describes the film’s theme. The film is about Jamie’s love for his son, obviously, but Jamie’s love for the Constitution and for American democracy is really what’s helping him get through this terrible, life-changing loss of Tommy.
AMY GOODMAN:Madeleine Carter, I want to say thank you for being here and to congratulate you on this film. It will appear again on MSNBCSunday night at 10:00 Eastern Time. Then, move on to Peacock.
This is Democracy Now!Next we head to Chicago, where protests broke out over the Thursday release of Jason Van Dyke (ex-police officer who killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014 and shot him 16 times), which was followed by Chicago. Stay with us.
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AMY GOODMAN: “American Skin (41 Shots)” by Bruce Springsteen, the song inspired by the New York police shooting death of Amadou Diallo. Amadou Diallo, a 23-year-old Ghanaian immigrant, was shot to death by police on February 4, 1999. Four officers fired 41 shots, killing the 23-year old Ghanaian immigrant.
