Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib challenged banking CEOs to agree to stop funding fossil fuels, and was met with total rejection.
Footage of the Wednesday exchange was shared online, showing Tlaib demanding bankers give their stance on funding new oil and gas products. The leadership of seven major banks were present to testify before the House Financial Services committee, none of whom bowed to her requests.
“You have all committed, as you all know, to transition the emissions from lending and investment activities to align with pathways to net-zero in 2050 … So no new fossil fuel production, starting today, so that’s like zero,” Tlaib told the bankers. “I would like to ask all of you and go down the list, because again, you all have agreed to doing this. Please answer with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ does your bank have a policy against funding new oil and gas products, Mr. Dimon?”
Rep. @RashidaTlaib challenges bank CEOs to agree to stop funding fossil fuels, is rejected by every single one
Jamie Dimon: “That would be the road to Hell for America” pic.twitter.com/U7yr6AbtyF
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 21, 2022
“Absolutely not,” JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon responded immediately. “And that would be the road to Hell for America.”
Tlaib then quickly pivoted, suggesting anyone who received student loan relief who banks with JPMorgan Chase “should probably take out their account and close their account,” she said, while clutching her chest. (RELATED: Russia Starves West Of Nord Stream 1 Pipeline, Reneging On Plans)
Tlaib then turned to the rest of the panel, who echoed Dimon’s sentiments in that they would continue to fund new oil and gas ventures as well as viable alternative energy products. Her demands come as consumer prices reach the highest rate in four decades, spurred on by the global energy crisis sweeping the globe.