Sen. Sanders sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch Tuesday, asking the Department of Justice to investigate what Exxon Mobil knew about the cause of climate change in the late 1970s. On Wednesday, Sanders called for immediate action to end budget sequestration and raise the debt limit. Sanders also pushed for a resolution to the Puerto Rican debt crisis that puts people over vulture funds. He sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury Secretary and urged Puerto Rican leaders at a Senate hearing to act swiftly to protect the people of the territory. Sanders joined Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressman Peter Welch Friday to announce $17 million in funds to assist Vermonters seeking help to meet their home heating needs this winter, only days after the first snowfall of the season. 

Exxon Mobil

Sanders asked Tuesday for the Department of Justice to investigate what he called a “potential instance of corporate fraud” by the oil giant.  “Exxon Mobil knew the truth about fossil fuels and climate change and lied to protect their business model at the expense of the planet,” Sanders said.  He likened Exxon Mobil’s conduct to claims by the tobacco industry about the health risks associated with smoking.

Sanders cited an investigation by Inside Climate News, the non-profit, non-partisan news organization, which suggested that Exxon Mobil scientists conducted extensive research on climate change as early as 1977. The company’s scientists reportedly found that climate change is real and caused partly by carbon pollution from petroleum products. Nevertheless, the world’s fourth largest oil company participated in an industry-wide public relations campaign, which cast doubt about the emerging scientific consensus on global warming. Since 1998, Exxon Mobil pumped $31 million into think tanks and organizations that tried to sow doubts about mainstream climate science.

Sequestration and the Debt Limit

Sanders, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, called Wednesday for immediate action to lift the debt ceiling and end across-the-board budget cuts. "At a time of massive wealth and income inequality, let’s work together on a budget that is fair,” Sanders said during a hearing. “Let’s end sequestration.  And, at the very least, I hope we can all agree right now that we will pay our bills on time and we will not allow the United States of America to become a deadbeat nation.” 

Puerto Rico

Sanders sent a letter Wednesday to U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew urging the administration to take concrete steps to support Puerto Rico. Sanders asked Secretary Lew to meet with Puerto Rican officials, conduct a transparent audit of Puerto Rico’s debt, ensure the territory is given the same bankruptcy protections as cities in the United States and increase the level federal dollars Puerto Ricans receive for health care. “In the midst of this massive human suffering, vulture funds and Wall Street investment banks have been calling for even more austerity in Puerto Rico,” Sanders wrote. “That is unacceptable. The people in Puerto Rico should not be forced to suffer even more so that a handful of wealthy investors can make even more money.” 

Sanders also slammed vulture funds trying to rip off Puerto Rico during a Senate hearing Thursday. “The economic situation in Puerto Rico will not improve by eliminating more public schools, slashing pensions, laying off workers and allowing corporations to pay workers starvation wages by suspending the minimum wage and relaxing labor laws – you simply cannot get blood out of a stone,” Sanders said during an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.

LIHEAP 

Sanders joined Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressman Peter Welch – who have long championed the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Friday announced $17 million in funds to assist Vermonters seeking help to meet their home heating needs this winter, only days after the first snowfall of the season. “LIHEAP is a lifeline to more than 25,000 Vermonters who need energy assistance to stay warm in the winter.  Seniors on fixed incomes, people with disabilities, and low-income families spend a growing portion of their income heating their homes.  Without this bridge of assistance, many Vermonters must choose between heating and other vital necessities, including food and costly prescription drugs,” they said.