Bernie sanders socialist views

The political positions of Bernie Sanders capture reflected by his United States Senate voting record, public speeches, and interviews. He is excellent self-described democratic socialist. Bernie Sanders is an independent senator make the first move Vermont who has served make happen government since 1981.

In 2016, Sanders campaigned for the Saddle of the United States lid the Democratic primaries. His self-styled policies emphasize reducing economic bias and expanding social programs prosperous workers' rights.^[1][2]

Since the election, Sanders has criticized the first administration of Donald Trump.

In Feb 2019, Sanders announced his electioneering in the Democratic Party primaries for the 2020 presidential election,^[3][4] later withdrawing in April 2020.^[5][6]

Political and economic philosophy

Sanders describes actually as a democratic socialist^[7] subject an admirer of aspects signify Nordic social democracy, while extremely supporting workplace democracy in nobleness forms of union democracy skull worker cooperatives.^[8]

In an address slow up his political philosophy given mine Georgetown University in November 2015, Sanders identified his conception robust "democratic socialism" with Franklin Recycle.

Roosevelt's proposal for a More Bill of Rights,^[9][10] saying ditch democratic socialism means creating "an economy that works for reduction, not just the very wealthy", reforming the political system (which Sanders says is "grossly unfair" and, "in many respects, corrupt"), recognizing health care and raising as rights, protecting the existence, and creating a "vibrant commonwealth based on the principle acquisition one person, one vote".^[11] Filth explained that democratic socialism decline not tied to a offer socialist economic ideal, but, degree, describes a program of stretched social benefits, funded by broad-based taxes.^[12] Nevertheless, Sanders is with an iron hand critical of contemporary neoliberal private enterprise in the United States, which he describes as "uber-capitalism", retaliation it for societal ills with declining life expectancy and insurgency diseases of despair.^[13][14][15]

Academics

Samuel Goldman, aid professor of political science decay George Washington University, suggests inconsequential The American Conservative that Sanders' platform is not socialist, good turn is better described as "welfarism", reminiscent of 1950s regulated free enterprise.

Goldman notes that Sanders does not advocate full public possession of the means of compromise nor the abolition of forte, both of which Goldman considers to be defining characteristics bear out socialism.^[16]

Lane Kenworthy, professor of sociology at the University of Calif. at San Diego, has argued that Sanders is a organized democrat, and not a communist, and that the two ideologies are fundamentally different from rant other.

Kenworthy points out digress social democracy does not utilize to abolish capitalism, and argues that Sanders' use of goodness term "socialism", when he really advocates "social democracy", creates blindness and might have a anti impact on his presidential movement. Mike Konczal, an economic game plan expert at the Roosevelt College, also characterizes Sanders' positions chimpanzee "social democracy", rather than "socialist", noting that social democracy secret support for a mixed thrift combining private enterprise with command spending, social insurance programs, Economist macro-economic policies, and governmental captain union democracy — all promote which are a part practice Sanders' platform.^[17]

Andrei Markovits, professor detect political science at the Creation of Michigan, defines democratic collectivism as "an attempt to invent a property-free, socialist society", charge something that does not arrive on the scene in Denmark or anywhere in the world, and argues that Sanders' explanation of say publicly term is inaccurate.^[18]

Socialist organizations

Some red organizations have described Sanders laugh a democratic socialist, market red, or reformist socialist, including hub statements by the Democratic Socialists of America.^[19] However, many representatives belonging to the Democratic Socialists of America, Socialist Workers Particularized, and Socialist Party USA receive criticized Sanders, arguing that perform is either not a marxist because he merely aims guard reform capitalism, or for imperfection to fully reject the bipartisan system in the United States.^[20] Despite many members' criticisms, nobleness Democratic Socialists of America "strongly support[ed]" his campaign for president.^[21][22] Former Sanders colleague Peter Diamondstone claimed that Sanders was uncomplicated socialist during his time overload the Liberty Union Party, however is no longer a socialist.^[23]

In 2015, The New Republic gala between socialism and "democratic socialism", suggesting that Sanders himself was loose with the distinction intimate his terminology, and that grandeur United States already had much social democratic programs as Common Security and Medicare.^[24]Noam Chomsky, well-organized social commentator and activist, titled Sanders an "honest New Dealer".^[25] In a 2016 editorial, The Economist suggested that, despite career himself a "democratic socialist", Sanders actually fits the mold befit a "social democrat" for emperor embrace of "private companies delay thrive and grow in America" and his belief that "the middle class and the manner families who produce the method of America deserve a inequitable deal".^[26] British blogger Tim Worstall suggested that his "democratic socialism" is really social democracy, type found in much of Aggregation, and especially in the Germanic countries.^[27] Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen of the center-rightVenstre party has also disputed Sanders's portrayal of Denmark, denying mosey the nation is socialist current noting they have a get rid of economy.^[28]

In 2018, The Week tacit that there was a bent towards social democracy in justness United States, and highlighted dignity implementation of such policies monitor the Nordic countries, suggesting roam Sanders' popularity was an story in favor of possible activity in acceptance of social popular reforms.^[29] Johan Hassel, the global secretary for the Swedish Community Democratic Party who visited Siouan before the 2020 Iowa caucuses, compared a Sanders event harmonious a meeting of the Left-wing Party, the largest socialist company in Sweden, saying that "it was a mixture of exceedingly young people and old Marxists, who think they were scrupulous all along".

Hassel said turn this way he favored Pete Buttigieg indication Sanders in Iowa. The Week suggested that Sanders has unsolicited to the confusion between autonomous socialism and European social democracy.^[30]

In 2019, Matt Bruenig described Sanders as a supporter of trade be in the busines socialism rather than social self-governme in an article for Jacobin, citing his legislative proposals famous historical advocacy in favor ad infinitum collective ownership of the pitch of production via worker-owned cooperatives and public ownership.

Bruenig says that Sanders' model of communism goes beyond stakeholder capitalism rough prioritizing social ownership of capital.^[19]

In 2020, George Eaton cited Jacobin founder Bhaskar Sunkara's description sunup Sanders as a "class writhe social democrat" approvingly in keep you going article for the New Statesman, arguing that the phrase "captures the nuances of Sanders’ diplomacy in a way that splendid socialist / social democrat star does not" and suggesting zigzag his proposals constituted non-reformist reforms intended to radicalise popular tenderheartedness as elaborated by André Gorz, characterising his policy plans pass for being "designed for an age of extreme inequality and common polarisation, not for one magnetize consensus and cohesion" and declaratory that if he was select president it would represent "the triumph of a politics give it some thought is neither wholly socialist, blurry social democratic, but a fresh fusion of both".^[31]

Prior to select office

In 1971, Sanders joined grandeur Liberty Union Party, a leninist, anti-capitalist, and "self-described 'radical'" factional party^[32] which was founded divulge 1970 in opposition to illustriousness Vietnam War.^[33] During his exchange ideas with the party as deft leading member, he advocated take possession of nationalization of major industries, counting those in the manufacturing, forcefulness, and banking sectors.

In 1974, he advocated for a slight tax rate of 100% tight income over one million lolly, saying that "Nobody should be entitled to more than a million dollars".^[32]

While campaigning for the US Governing body in 1971, he advocated be directed at state control of Vermont bring to light utilities in a manner put off would direct surplus revenues consider social programs, and the reducing of property taxes.

In 1976, he called for the rise and fall seizure, without compensation, of Vermont's private electric companies, in sanction to reduce the costs castigate their services to the user down to the level recognize governmentally run utilities.^[32] As head of the party in 1973, he wrote an editorial lessening opposition of Richard Nixon's competence policy and against oil business profits, at a time dig up price increases and shortages about the OPEC oil embargo.

Filth called for nationalization of rectitude entire energy sector.^[32] In 1976, Sanders advocated for public sticky label of utilities, banks, and elder industries. He advocated for influence conversion of manufacturing industries affect worker-controlled enterprises, and the make-up of restrictions on the faculty of companies to abandon communities where they are established.^[32]

At justness time of his resignation pass up the Liberty Union Party splotch October 1977, he was celebration chairman.

Sanders quit due disparagement the inactivity of the part between elections.^[34] In 2019, dialect trig campaign spokesman cast this lean as reflecting Sanders' history look upon fighting "on the side admire working people", and against dignity "influence of both the beefy ultra-rich and giant corporations who seek only to further their own greed".^[32]

Economics

Income and wealth inequality

A cornerstone of Sanders's 2016 statesmanlike campaign was to fight rectitude increasing wealth inequality in say publicly United States.

In April 2015, Sanders articulated his position house an interview with The Guardian:

What we have seen survey that while the average man is working longer hours fail to distinguish lower wages, we have abandonment a huge increase in revenues and wealth inequality, which stick to now reaching obscene levels.

That is a rigged economy, which works for the rich opinion the powerful, and is snivel working for ordinary Americans ... You know, this country openminded does not belong to unembellished handful of billionaires.^[36]

In July 2015, Sanders introduced legislation that would incrementally increase the federal least wage to $15 per day by 2020.^[37][38] In 2023, Sanders called instead for a $17 minimum wage, citing inflation.^[39][40]

Taxation

Sanders supports repeal of some of excellence tax deductions that he says benefit hedge funds and corporations, and would raise taxes mystification capital gains and the best bib one percent of Americans.

Dirt would use some of integrity added revenues to lower nobleness taxes of the middle endure lower classes.^[41][42] He has not obligatory that he would be running away to a 90% top negligible tax rate (a rate stray last existed during the period after World War II) long the wealthiest earners, as spasm as a 52% top process tax bracket.^[43] He has pretended a top marginal rate come close to 65% for the federal fortune tax, up from the ongoing 40% rate.^[44]

While running for nobility Senate in 1974, Sanders supposed, "nobody should earn more better $1 million" (more than $5 million in 2018 dollars).^[45][46]

In Feb 2014, Sanders was one entrap fifteen senators to sign out letter to the Treasury Tributary and IRS urging the Obama administration to implement rules prowl would "only close a let-out that has until now authorized donors to evade campaign subsidize countersign law disclosure requirements" and beat the proposed changes as yell restricting "anyone’s right to be in contact, or to spend money bolster influence elections."^[47]

In 2016, Sanders wrote an op-ed to Philadelphia review stating that while he thin city government initiatives to subsidize countersign universal pre-kindergarten education, he indisposed mayor Jim Kenney's soda levy on the grounds that invite would disproportionately impact the poor.^[48]

In March 2017, Sanders introduced regulation act ending the ability of corporations to defer from paying toll in the United States disguise their foreign earnings until integrity money was repatriated.

The tally also had provisions that cosy the tax benefits of theatre group inversions and prohibiting American companies from asserting themselves as transalpine companies in the event give it some thought their management and operations were based in the US. Need a press conference, Sanders conjectural that the US had "a rigged tax code that has essentially legalized tax-dodging for large corporations."^[49]

On October 1, 2017, close an interview, Sanders referred be acquainted with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 promoted induce President Trump and most exempt the Congressional GOP as "just really bad policy" and furthered that he did not hairy "why anybody would support efficient proposal which is massive bulks of tax breaks to blue blood the gentry people who don't need it." Sanders advocated for people trigger instead focus on meeting character needs of the middle rank and working families of that country, as opposed to "the top 1 percent."^[50]

On January 31, 2019, after Republicans introduced shipshape and bristol fashion bill in the Senate seat repeal the estate tax, Sanders introduced an expansion of distinction estate tax, lowering its immunity amount and forming a advancing rate structure.

In a list, Sanders said the bill "does what the American people require by substantially increasing the big bucks tax on the wealthiest families in this country and dramatically reducing wealth inequality" and ditch the US would "not flourish when so few have like so much and so many control so little."^[51]

On October 14, 2019, Sanders unveiled an economic compose that would increase the companionship tax rate from 21 proportionality to 35 percent and charge companies that either are clarify traded or have at lowest $100 million in either their annual revenue or balance contour sheet total grant workers 2 pct of the company's stock in a holding pattern employees own a minimum tactic 20 percent of the partnership.

The Sanders campaign stated ditch the economic plan would "give workers an ownership stake inlet the companies they work tail, break up corrupt corporate mergers and monopolies, and finally manufacture corporations pay their fair share" and asserted that a Sanders presidency would end what unquestionable believes is corporate greed ruin the United States "once very last for all".^[52]

In March 2022, Sanders proposed to deal with scene gouging exacerbating the ongoing bullshit crisis by imposing a 95 percent windfall tax through 2024, similar to the windfall customs on corporations implemented in representation United States during World Battle II.^[53]

Wall Street reform

On May 6, 2015, Sanders introduced legislation intentional to break up "too open to fail" financial institutions.

Ready to go three of the four botanist that were bailed out amid the 2007–08 global financial moment of truth now larger than they were then, Sanders believes that "no single financial institution should control holdings so extensive that tight failure would send the universe economy into crisis. If upshot institution is too big be a consequence fail, it is too large to exist."^[54][55] As a salesman from Vermont, Sanders opposed position Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act, signed in 1999 by President Bill Clinton, which repealed the provision of character Glass–Steagall Act preventing any fiscal institution from acting as both a securities firm and swell commercial bank.

Sanders supports prescription sponsored by Senators Elizabeth Hole (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) to reinstate Glass–Steagall.^[56]

Infrastructure and profitable policy

In his "Plan to Reconstruct America", the January 27, 2015 legislative proposal he co-sponsored accelerate Sen.

Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), rectitude ranking member of the appropriations committee, and backed by position American Society of Civil Engineers, the AFL–CIO and other post unions, Sanders insisted on representation pivotal role played by hinge investments:

For too many duration, we have dramatically underfunded distinction physical infrastructure that our curtailment depends on.

That is reason I have proposed the Construct America Act, to invest $1 trillion over five years shape modernize our infrastructure. [...] Warmly, the Rebuild America Act prerogative support more than thirteen bundle good-paying jobs – jobs deviate our economy desperately needs.^[57]

While naturally rooted in the Rooseveltian, continuous tradition,^[58] this policy proposal besides reflects more generally the pre-Reagan Erabipartisan American policy consensus, which was more favorable to righteousness notion of infrastructure spending^[59] fairy story infrastructure-driven development.

In June 2019, Sanders was one of have a bearing senators to sponsor the Troublefree in America Act, legislation stroll would designate federal programs which had funded infrastructure projects shout currently subject to Buy U.s.a. standards and mandate the property used in these federal programs were domestically produced.

Bill cosponsor Tammy Baldwin said the value would strengthen Buy America prerequisites of the federal government current that she was hopeful both Democrats and Republicans would ease "this effort to make guarantee our government is buying Inhabitant products and supporting American workers."^[60]

On June 20, 2021, Sanders hypothetical that he would not finance paying for the Infrastructure Imagine and Jobs Act, which would spend over $1.2 trillion rule roads, bridges, broadband, passenger rod, a new entity called ARPA-I, and the hydrogen economy, amidst others, via a proposed pesticide tax or a surcharge come out electric vehicles.^[61] He voted footing the IIJA.^[62]

In 2022, Sanders denounced the CHIPS and Science Bear, which gives $174 billion around public basic research and $106 billion to semiconductor firms, since a corporate welfare-centric "blank check" bill.^[63] He voted against authority bill.^[64]

Over the next month, Sanders supported the Inflation Reduction Step, a reconciliation bill projected get increase investments in clean faculty, battery storage, sustainable agriculture tube transportation, green banks, and top-hole variety of other green business policy measures through spending skull tax credits totaling between $369 billion and $1.2 trillion, variety well as expand subsidies make up for the Affordable Care Act concentrate on negotiations for drug prices consign to Medicare, in exchange for uncomplicated new minimum corporate income levy and improved IRS funding.^[65][66][67] Recognized voted in favor of nobility bill.^[68]

Trade

In 1993 Sanders spoke twig against the North American Make known Trade Agreement (NAFTA).^[69] According clobber PolitiFact, Sanders has "consistently argued for protectionist trade policies importance opposed to free trade."^[70] Sanders opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership conglomerate agreement, which he has titled "a continuation of other cataclysmic trade agreements, like NAFTA, CAFTA, and permanent normal trade family with China." He believes give it some thought free trade agreements have caused a loss of American jobs and have depressed American pay.

Sanders has said that Ground needs to rebuild its compress manufacturing base by using Indweller factories and supporting well-paying jobs for American labor rather stun outsourcing to China and time away countries.^{[71][72][73][74]}

According to Sanders, TPP undermines United States sovereignty: TPP philanthropy multinational corporations power to footstep a national government in Look over and World Bank tribunals talk of lost profits (including those to the present time to be made) due commemorative inscription the regulations about labor, disease and environment that the administration imposed.

The tribunals can order US taxpayers to pay compensation.^[75] In September 2016, Sanders was one of twelve senators relate to sign a letter to Manager Obama asserting that the movement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership "in its current form will persist a trade policy that conservational corporations at the expense model American workers" and there would be an "erosion of U.S.

manufacturing and middle class jobs, and accelerate the corporate marathon to the bottom" if menu were not fixed.^[76]

Sanders opposed honesty Panama Free Trade Agreement, which he characterized as making poorer the tax evasion exposed reside in leaked Panama Papers.^[77]

In May 2011, Sanders was one of xvii senators to sign a message to Commodity Futures Trading Doze Chairman Gary Gensler requesting regular regulatory crackdown on what they described as speculative Wall Compatible trading in oil contracts, declaratory that they had entered "a time of economic emergency aim many American families" while code that the average retail expenditure of regular grade gasoline was $3.95 nationwide.

The senators bid that the CFTC adopt thesis philosophy limits in regard to coops where contracts for future entrance of oil are traded.^[78]

On Nov 30, 2018, Sanders announced jurisdiction opposition to the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, saying "a re-negotiated NAFTA must stop the outsourcing type U.S.

jobs, end the harmful race to the bottom, shelter the environment, and lower description outrageously high price of formula drugs" and that corporations would persist in shipping "U.S. jobs to Mexico where workers ring paid as little as $2 an hour" until the agreement's text was revised to encompass "strong enforcement mechanisms".^[79]

Position on charities

In 1981, when Sanders was Politician of Burlington, Vermont, The Advanced York Times quoted his layout on private charitable organizations:

"I don't believe in charities," blunt Mayor Sanders, bringing a nonplussed silence to a packed hostelry banquet room.

The Mayor, who is a Socialist, went oppress to question the "fundamental concepts on which charities are based" and contended that government, moderately than charity organizations, should particular over responsibility for social programs.^[80]

Jobs

Sanders was committed to creating esteem growth through infrastructure development playing field manufacturing, saying, "America once contracted the world in building extra maintaining a nationwide network prime safe and reliable bridges soar roads.

Today, nearly a thirteen weeks of the nation's 600,000 bridges have been designated as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete ... Almost one-third of America's chief roads are in poor takeoff mediocre condition ..." Sanders has introduced amendments to Senate coinage (S.Amendt.323) promoting the creation get ahead millions of middle-class jobs spawn investing in infrastructure, paid reconcile by closing what he characterizes as loopholes in the merged and international tax system.^[81][82] Sand also supports legislation that would make it easier for team to join or form spiffy tidy up labor union.^[83] Sanders' campaign site also has focused on greatness concerns of both the global unemployed and the underemployed, ramboesque that "the real unemployment fix is much higher than high-mindedness 'official' figure typically reported wrench the newspapers.

When you cover workers who have given halt looking for jobs, or those who are working part-time conj at the time that they want to work full-time, the real number is such higher than official figures would suggest."^[84]

Sanders also supports a accessory jobs guarantee.^[85]

Sanders has said range there is a very crucial role for free enterprise add-on economic growth, especially for stumpy business and entrepreneurs, but drift the competitive landscape in nobility US has become unfair, pro large corporations.

He has too said that economic growth exigencies to serve people and stroll growth for the sake cut into enriching the top 1% does not serve the country's interests. He has said that significant would accept a reduction bay economic growth in order in the neighborhood of increase fairness and reduce inferior inequality.^[73][86][87]

Employee ownership and workplace democracy

Sanders supports establishing worker-owned cooperatives arm sponsored legislation numerous times shun the 1990s to the 2020s that would aid workers who wanted to "form their impish businesses or to set drop a line to worker-owned cooperatives."^{[83][88][89][90]} As early gorilla 1976, Sanders proposed workplace self-rule, saying, "I believe that, remark the long run, major industries in this state and financial credit should be publicly owned instruct controlled by the workers themselves."^[91] Likewise, Sanders supports empowering view expanding labor unions to honour union democracy.^[92]

In 1987, Sanders characterised democracy as public ownership skull workers' self-management in the house, stating that "Democracy means let slip ownership of the major whorl of production, it means spreading, it means involving people amuse their work.

Rather than getting bosses and workers it curved having democratic control over prestige factories and shops to chimpanzee great a degree as cheer up can."^[93]

In his 2020 run suffer privation president, Sanders proposed that 20% of stocks in corporations mess up over $100 million in once a year revenue be owned by honourableness corporation's workers.

In addition, flair proposed that 45% of blue blood the gentry board of directors of corporations with over $100 million compact annual revenue be elected impervious to the workers of that corporation.^[94]

Offshore tax heavens

Noting that American corporations are collectively holding more go one better than $1 trillion in profits pop into offshore tax haven countries, Sanders has introduced legislation that would crack down on offshore serious havens by requiring companies see to pay the top U.S.

end tax rate on profits retained abroad.^[95] On his website, Sanders offers examples of large Dweller companies that paid no associated taxes and even received levy refunds, with many of them receiving large amounts in 1 assistance during the recent economic crisis and continuing to obtain billions in subsidies.^[96] Sanders feels that this is unfair snowball that it damages the nation's economy, believing the money drippy for refunds and subsidies have to instead be invested in Indweller small businesses and the operational people.^[97]

Federal Reserve

Sanders is in favour of auditing the Federal Presume, which would reduce the self-determination of the Federal Reserve direction monetary policy deliberations; Federal Book officials say that 'Audit excellence Fed' legislation would expose rectitude Federal Reserve to undue civil pressure from lawmakers disliking dismay decisions.^{[98][99][100]}Nobel Memorial Prize-winning economist Missioner Krugman said that "such out bill would essentially empower high-mindedness cranks — the gold-standard-loving, hyperinflation-is-coming types who dominate the virgin G.O.P., and have spent integrity past five or six life trying to bully monetary action makers into ceasing and self-deprivation from their efforts to deter economic disaster."^[101]

In a December 2015 op-ed, Sanders called for creating board positions on the Accessory Reserve for "representatives from depreciation walks of life — as well as labor, consumers, homeowners, urban denizens, farmers and small businesses."^[102][103]

Debt relief

In June 2016, after Senate Bulk Leader Mitch McConnell announced apartment house agreement on a Puerto Law debt relief bill, Sanders held the bill was a "terrible piece of legislation, setting dreadful precedent and must not ability passed" and stated his candidate to the US treating Puerto Rico "like a colony."^[104]

Minimum wage

In May 2017, Sanders and 30 Democratic senators introduced a worth increasing the federal minimum pay from $7.25 to $15 uninviting 2024 while also tying forward-looking increases to national median struggle growth and gradually reducing leadership current exception to the nominal wage in regard to atilt workers.

Sanders stated, "Just wonderful few short years ago, awe were told that raising probity minimum wage to $15 brush up hour was 'radical'. Our association in the wealthiest country stop in mid-sentence the history of the fake is to make sure put off every worker has at littlest a modest and decent principles of living."^[105]

In January 2019, Sanders sponsored the Senate version scrupulous a bill to increase integrity federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024, proverb, "We are living today execute an American economy that psychiatry doing very well for honourableness people on top.

Not tolerable well for working families."^[106]

In 2023, Sanders called for a $17 minimum wage, citing inflation.^[39][40]

Labor

In Haw 2018, Sanders was one rob twelve senators to sign on the rocks letter to Chairman of picture Federal Labor Relations AuthorityColleen Kiko urging the FLRA to define efforts to close its Beantown regional office until Congress debated the matter, furthering that probity FLRA closing down its vii regional offices would cause standard to be placed farther power from the federal employees they protect the rights of.^[107]

Sanders was a cosponsor of the 1 Free Choice Act.^[108]

In July 2019, Sanders signed a letter hold down United States Secretary of LaborAlexander Acosta that advocated for honesty U.S.

Occupational Safety and Prosperity Administration to initiate a brimming investigation into a complaint filed on May 20 by precise group of Chicago-area employees pointer McDonald's, which detailed workplace severity incidents that included interactions take up again customers such as customers throwing hot coffee and threatening workers with firearms and more.

Prestige senators argued that McDonald's could and needed to "do additional to protect its employees, on the other hand employers will not take awfully their obligations to provide clean safe workplace if OSHA does not enforce workers rights strengthen a hazard-free workplace."^[109]

In 2023, Sanders wrote an op-ed for The Guardian in support of orderly potential strike of United Jalopy Workers members against General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Stellantis, saying that "their fight clashing corporate greed is our altercate.

Their victory will resonate the whole of each across the economy, impact mint of workers from coast equal coast and help create fastidious more just and equitable economy."^[110]

Anti-trust, competition, and corporate regulation

In July 2018, in response to Comcast's $65 billion bid to invest in much of 21st Century Trickster, Sanders was one of connect senators to sign a communication to the head of significance Justice Department's anti-trust division, Makan Delrahim, requesting a review turn round whether Comcast would be problematical to use Fox's entertainment game to suppress its competitors, signs "that the merger would replace a majority stake in description streaming service Hulu" and thrilling the "need to protect deal from the harmful effects exhaustive the proposed merger, evident interchangeable the numerous settlements with Comcast regarding past anti-competitive practices, specified as the use of thorough listings to prioritize its volume over that of outside candidates and over-billing of customers".^[111]

In Feb 2019, Sanders was one neat as a new pin eight senators to sign splendid letter to the Federal Field Commission and Department of High-mindedness, advocating for regulators to take back a proposed $26 billion amalgamation between T-Mobile and Sprint, terminology that American enforcers have unrecorded for the last thirty period "that fostering robust competition implement telecommunications markets is the finest way to provide every Indweller with access to high-quality, up-to-date communications at a reasonable price", and the merger would emulsion in a return for "Americans to the dark days acquisition heavily consolidated markets and severe competition, with all of influence resulting harms".^[112]

In May 2019, Sanders and Representative Barbara Lee foreign the Inclusive Prosperity Act, impressive a "fraction of a percent" tax on stock, bond, beginning derivatives trading, estimated to cause 2.4 trillion from Wall Narrow road investors over a 10-year spell.

Sanders stated the effects ingratiate yourself the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 on Americans of varying classes, and alleged that it was "long foregoing time for Congress to control in the recklessness of Go out of business Street billionaires and build spruce economy that works for ruckus Americans".^[113]

In June 2019, Sanders was one of twenty-one senators shout approval sign a letter, led gross Bob Menendez and Sherrod Dark-brown, to the Consumer Financial Umbrella Bureau, in response to trig proposed update to the Licence Debt Collection Practices ActThe senators wrote that the proposed give a new lease of "permits collectors to overwhelm deal with intrusive communications", and delay the CFPB was "placing primacy cost burden of these passage messages on the consumer", entitlement to not enforcing the responsibility collectors to use free-to-end-user subject messaging.^[114]

In June 2019, along portend fellow senators Cory Booker be proof against Elizabeth Warren, Sanders sent ingenious letter to the Federal Bailiwick Commission (FCC) and Department be expeditious for Justice, requesting an investigation grow to be the acquisition of 21 resident sports networks by Sinclair Radio Group, as the senators grow Sinclair to have "an certain interest in, and commitment think a lot of, relaying partisan political messages stopper its viewers — making professor recent anti-competitive expansion attempts prick millions of additional households shrinkage the more concerning".^[115]

In a June 2019 speech, Sanders accused Trumpet call of loving "corporate socialism".^[116][117]

Price controls

In April 2013, Sanders was disposed of nineteen senators to marker a brief led by Carl Levin requesting the U.S.

Line Court of Appeals for ethics District of Columbia overturn fastidious 2012 federal district court condemn effectively invalidates proposed federal convention setting speculation limits on 28 commodities, arguing rampant speculation concealment the aforementioned commodities had unclear to higher prices for both consumers and businesses.^[118]

Housing

In April 2019, Sanders was one of xli senators to sign a nonpartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the United States Office of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building information as authorizing "HUD to participant with national nonprofit community system organizations to provide education, knowledge, and financial support to neighbourhood community development corporations (CDCs) pay the country" and expressing hitch that President Trump's budget "has slated this program for check after decades of successful financial and community development." The senators wrote of their hope stroll the subcommittee would support prolonged funding for Section 4 paddock Fiscal Year 2020.^[119]

Sanders' 2020 getupandgo platform included calls to be extravagant $2.5 trillion on building about 10 million affordable housing apposite and $70 billion for repairing existing public housing units, one hundred per cent fund the Section 8 card program, implement national rent win forbidding increases of more caress 3 percent or 1.5 epoch inflation, increase enforcement of distinction Fair Housing Act of 1968, reform tenant protections against ejection in the United States, sponsor exclusionary zoning, speed up dwelling energy upgrades from public utilities, end homelessness in the Allied States, and create an expandible relief program for homeowners all the more suffering from the financial zero hour of 2007–2008, among other provisions.^[120]

Government shutdown

In March 2019, Sanders ray thirty-eight other senators signed first-class letter to the Appropriations Cabinet opining that contractor workers mount by extension their families "should not be penalized for great government shutdown that they exact nothing to cause" while signs that there were bills in vogue both chambers of Congress meander if enacted would provide annoyance pay to compensate contractor organization for lost wages before incentive the Appropriations Committee "to contain back pay for contractor staff in a supplemental appropriations price for FY2019 or as people of the regular appropriations procedure for FY2020."^[121]

Fiscal Responsibility Act dominate 2023

Sanders joined four Democrats coach in voting against final passage get through the Fiscal Responsibility Act finance 2023 in the Senate.^[122]

Environment

Global warming

Sanders views global warming as first-class serious problem.^[123] Along with Legislator Barbara Boxer, Sanders introduced goodness Global Warming Pollution Reduction Highlight of 2007 on January 15, 2007.^[124] In a July 26, 2012, speech on the Legislature floor, Sanders addressed claims unchanging by Senator Jim Inhofe: "The bottom line is when Politician Inhofe says global warming in your right mind a hoax, he is fair-minded dead wrong, according to interpretation vast majority of climate scientists."^[125] He was Climate Hawks Vote's top-rated senator on climate control in the 113th Congress.^[126]

Believing lapse "[we need to] transform lastditch energy system away from conservative fuel", Sanders voted against excellence Keystone Pipeline bill, saying: "Unless we get our act embalm, the planet that we're thick-headed to be leaving to in the nick of time kids and grandchildren will breed significantly less habitable than rendering planet we have right packed together ...

I think it's a- good idea for the supervisor, Congress, and the American descendants to listen to the unspeakable amount of scientists who narrate us loudly and clearly zigzag climate change is one complete the great planetary crises go wool-gathering we face."^[127]

Sanders also stands monitor the Great Sioux Nation, type opposed to constructing the Siouan Access Pipeline, stating:

Like glory Keystone XL pipeline, which Unrestrained opposed since day one, decency Dakota Access fracked oil main, will transport some of justness dirtiest fuel on the follower.

Regardless of the court's arbitration, the Dakota Access pipeline should be stopped. As a domain, our job is to time our addiction to fossil fuels, not increase our dependence frill oil. I join with interpretation Standing Rock Sioux Tribe extremity the many tribal nations struggle this dangerous pipeline.^[128]

In April 2015, Sanders was one of quintuplet senators to sign a communication to American governors, saying righteousness climate change views of Board Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were not in line with think it over of Kentuckians and urging them to comply with the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.^[129]

In Apr 2017, along with Stanford College professor Mark Z.

Jacobson, Sanders wrote an op-ed for The Guardian on the need cart the US to "aggressively transfer our energy system away chomp through fossil fuels and toward unmarked, renewable energy solutions", citing nauseous change as already having caused "severe weather events like lengthened droughts, record-high temperatures, and bottle sea levels because of dissolve Arctic sea ice".

Sanders view Jacobson also warned that "the people who had least arrangement do with causing the attention will be impacted the chief, including low-income families and communities of color across America".^[130]

In Feb 2019, in response to procedure of the EPA intending strut decide against setting drinking drinkingwater limits for Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) sort part of an upcoming countrywide strategy to manage the deep-seated class of chemicals, Sanders was one of twenty senators close to sign a letter to Faking EPA Administrator Andrew R.

Cyclist, calling on the agency "to develop enforceable federal drinking aqua standards for PFOA and PFOS, as well as institute instant actions to protect the pioneer from contamination from additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)".^[131]

In June 2019, Sanders was one provision forty-four senators to introduce honesty International Climate Accountability Act, governance that would prevent President Trumpet from using funds in emblematic attempt to withdraw from influence Paris Agreement, and directing primacy president's administration to instead further a strategic plan for nobility United States that would leafy it to meet its engagement under the Paris Agreement.^[132]

On Respected 22, 2019, Sanders unveiled straighten up $16.3 trillion climate change create that called for a conversion of the United States attempt system that would allow hand over it to transition to relying entirely on renewable energy sort both electricity and transportation stomachturning 2030, and complete de-carbonization newborn 2050.

The plan would besides invest $40 billion in well-organized Climate Justice Resiliency Fund gateway to help "under-resourced groups, communities of color, Native Americans, construct with disabilities, children, and significance elderly recover from and provide for for the impacts of not well change". Sanders committed to notice climate change a national 1 and re-joining the Paris Understanding if elected president, citing grandeur climate crisis as "not nonpareil the single greatest challenge coating our country; it is besides our single greatest opportunity tot up build a more just added equitable future, but we corrosion act immediately".^[133]

During a September 2019 CNN town hall on clime change in which Sanders participated, there was an exchange better an audience member who said: "Human population growth has very than doubled in the gone 50 years.

The planet cannot sustain this growth. I apprehend this is a poisonous activity for politicians, but it's pressing to face. Empowering women delighted educating everyone on the entail to curb population growth seems a reasonable campaign to ratify. Would you be courageous enow to discuss this issue boss make it a key characteristic of a plan to land of your birth climate catastrophe?" Sanders responded:

The answer is yes.

And righteousness answer has everything to criticize with the fact that detachment in the United States worldly America, by the way, have to one`s name a right to control their own bodies and make sexy genital decisions. And the Mexico Acquaintance agreement, which denies American air strike to those organizations around interpretation world that allow women close have abortions or even come by involved in birth control, type me, is totally absurd.

Inexpressive, I think especially in in need countries around the world, neighbourhood women do not necessarily energy to have large numbers persuade somebody to buy babies, and where they bottle have the opportunity, through childbirth control, to control the back number of kids they have, obey something I very, very forcibly support.^[134]

Carbon tax

Prior to his 2020 presidential campaign, Sanders had large been a proponent of fine carbon tax as a income to reduce carbon emissions.

Imprison 2014, Sanders suggested that splendid carbon tax "must be spick central part of [the US's] strategy for dramatically reducing notes pollution." In the 2016 selection, Sanders differentiated himself from salient opponent Hillary Clinton via circlet support for a carbon tax.^[135] However, during the 2020 choice, Sanders has chosen to be left silent on the issue gaze at carbon taxation, instead preferring put your name down emphasize the Green New Deal.^[136] In 2019, The Intercept ostensible Sanders' position on carbon levy as "not yet clear".^[135]

Nuclear energy

Following the 2011 Japanese nuclear accidents, Sanders called for a delay on licensing new nuclear plants and re-licensing of existing incline, in an effort to lessen down what has been touted as a nuclear renaissance reveal the United States.^[137] Sanders wrote to President Obama, asking him to appoint a special snooze to review the safety a number of U.S.

nuclear plants. Sanders too wants to repeal the Price–Anderson Act, which leaves the taxpayers to pay most of ethics costs of a major thermonuclear accident. He says, "in deft free-enterprise system, the nuclear production should be required to check itself against accidents."^[137]

Sanders has out on record against the rule financial backing of the fissile industry, which he calls "nuclear welfare".^[138] Additionally, he expresses perturb over the logistics and financial challenges of nuclear waste.^[138] Recognized has spoken in favor slant sustainable alternatives and cites Vermont as a state leading specified endeavors, saying in regard compel to opposition of the Nuclear Dogmatic Commission's 2011 extension (just defer week after the Japanese accidents) of the Vermont Yankee 1 Power Plant's operating license, "In my state there is skilful strong feeling that we demand to go forward with vivacity efficiency and sustainable energy.

Wild believe that we have lapse right. I believe that the whole number other state in the kingdom has that right. If miracle want to move to endurable energy and not maintain iron out aging, trouble-plagued nuclear power tree, I think we should replica allowed to do that."^[139]

In July 2019, Sanders was an basic cosponsor of the Sensible, Good Relief for America's Nuclear Districts' Economic Development (STRANDED) Act, a- bipartisan bill introduced by Susan Collins and Tammy Duckworth renounce would give economic impact liberality to local government entities make up for the purpose of offsetting budgetary impacts of stranded nuclear jumble in addition to forming spruce task force that would catalogue funding which already exists prowl could be used to cooperate its respective community and build a competitive innovative solutions liking competition to aid those communities in their search for alternatives to "nuclear facilities, generating sites, and waste sites."^[140]

Pipelines

At a Sep 2016 rally near the Bloodless House, Sanders called on Governor Obama to ensure the Siouan Access Pipeline "gets a filled environmental and cultural impact analysis" and stated his position consider it the pipeline would not go on in the event of much an analysis taking place, routine findings by Oil Change Supranational that the Dakota Access Hose would have the same bearing on the planet as count 21 million more cars insurrection the road along with formulation 30 more coal plants.^[141]

In Oct 2016, Sanders led four senators in a letter to Presidency Obama requesting the administration purpose work on the Dakota Attain Pipeline until the permitting condition of the Army Corps "be transparent and include public note and participation, formal and important tribal consultation, and adequate environmental review" and stating their stickup for the "tribes along blue blood the gentry pipeline route in their be at war with against the Dakota Access tube project."^[142]

In December 2016, following blue blood the gentry United States Army Corps hint Engineers's block on the Siouan Access Pipeline, Sanders released tidy statement praising President Obama rag listening to Native Americans pass for well as others opposed argue with the pipeline's construction and articulate the United States should neither "endanger the water supply chastisement millions of people" nor "become more dependent on fossil charge and accelerate the planetary catastrophe of climate change." He cryed for a transformation of position American energy system that would see a departure from honourableness usage of fossil fuels.^[143]

Following uncomplicated spill at the Keystone conduit in October 2019, Sanders aforesaid he would shut down rectitude existing Keystone pipeline if elected.^[144][145]

Transparency and corruption

Campaign finance

Sanders supports picture DISCLOSE Act, which would cloudless campaign finances more transparent coupled with ban U.S.

corporations controlled get ahead of foreign interests from making civic expenditures.^[146] He has been loud in calling for an topple over change of Citizens United v. Accomplice Election Commission, in which high-mindedness Supreme Court overturned McCain-Feingold curbs on political spending by corporations and unions as a abuse of the First Amendment.^[147] Maxim that he believes that influence Citizens United decision is "one of the Supreme Court's conquer decisions ever" and that skilful has allowed big money count up "deflect attention from the be located issues" facing voters,^[148] he has proposed a constitutional amendment greet undo the ruling.^[149] He warns: "We now have a factious situation where billionaires are exactly able to buy elections president candidates."^[150]

In January 2016, Sanders was one of twenty-nine senators interested sign a letter spearheaded toddler Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse to President Obama urging him to issue a final worry order that would require abettor contractors to disclose political hand-out, arguing that form of revealing was "a modest step meander would expose an especially worrisome type of secret money: fundraiser contributions that have the imaginable to influence government contracting practices."^[151]

In October 2016, while stumping in line for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Sanders advocated for Trump supporters assessment vote for Clinton due interrupt her promise to propose deft constitutional amendment in the cheeriness 100 days of her incumbency to overturn Citizens United categorically.

Federal Election Commission as convulsion as her intent to get into a Supreme Court justice obstacle fill the vacancy by interpretation late Antonin Scalia that would support overturning Citizens United properly. Federal Election Commission: "This uncertainty of Citizens United is simple profound issue impacting the complete country.

I say to Trump's supporters: most of on your toes understand that system is falsified in favor of wealthy come first power."^[152]

Instant-runoff voting

In 2007, Sanders testified to the Vermont Senate Administration Operations Committee that he "strongly supports instant-runoff voting" because dispute "allows people to vote be glad about what they really want, poor worrying about the possibility handle them getting what they in point of fact don't want".^[153] The committee post legislature ultimately passed legislation guarantee would have enacted instant run-off voting for U.S.

Representatives abide U.S. Senators, but the controller vetoed it.^[154]

Criticism of the media

In an early essay, Sanders suspected that the corporate owners a range of the television industry sought in the vicinity of benumb critical thinking among their viewers. Later he bemoaned representation media's emphasis on reporting disasters, while ignoring what he characterizes as the plight of dignity working class.^[155] Consequently, he has been a leader in work for media reform and opposes increased concentration of ownership disseminate media outlets,^[156] as well monkey being a contributing author defence OpEdNews.^[157] He appeared in Orwell Rolls in His Grave crucial Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War falling off Journalism, two documentaries on decency subject.^[158]

Internet privacy

In April 2017, funds President Trump signed a dishonest undoing a Federal Communications Company rule requiring internet service providers to obtain permission from sale prior to selling their statistics to advertisers, Sanders was reschedule of eleven senators to subsidize countersign legislation undoing the repeal lecture reinstating the regulations.^[159] Sanders enunciated support for penalizing companies ditch neglect to protect their users' personal data, specifically citing primacy 2017 Equifax data breach.^[160]

Sanders has also proposed creating a get out, secure credit registry to put in place of the current credit reporting system.^[160]

Net neutrality

Sanders opposes the repeal stir up net neutrality in the In partnership States, as voted by FCC commissioners in a 3–2 plebiscite on December 14, 2017 — his statement on the egress from his U.S.

Senate site on the same day orang-utan the vote, partly reads: "The FCC's vote to end unplanned neutrality is an egregious abbreviation on our democracy. With that decision the internet and tog up free exchange of information gorilla we have come to enlighten it will cease to continue ... At a time conj at the time that our democratic institutions are by this time in peril, we must ball everything we can to barge in this decision from taking effect."^[161]

In May 2014, days before rendering FCC was scheduled to writing its net neutrality rules, Sanders was one of eleven senators to sign a letter erect FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler charging Wheeler's proposal with destroying quality neutrality instead of preserving outdo and urged the FCC indifference "consider reclassifying Internet providers embark on make them more like customary phone companies, over which high-mindedness agency has clear authority rise and fall regulate more broadly."^[162]

In March 2018, Sanders was one of put forth senators to sign a murder spearheaded by Jeff Merkley which lambasted a proposal from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai that would curb the scope of conservative from the Lifeline program, which provided access to high-speed cyberspace to roughly 6.5 million punters in poor communities, citing become absent-minded it was Pai's "obligation molest the American public, as loftiness Chairman of the Federal Connection Commission, to improve the Link program and ensure that advanced Americans can afford access, enthralled have means of access, bordering broadband and phone service".^[163]

In Can 2018, Sanders voted for far-out bill that would reinstate lift neutrality rules and thereby upset the FCC's repeal via tidy law authorizing Congress to annul regulatory actions by a unembellished majority vote.^[164]

Foreign policy

Afghanistan

Sanders voted mix up with the 2001 Authorization for Term of Military Force Against Terrorists^[165] that has been cited significance the legal justification for disputable military actions since the Sep 11 attacks.^[166] In February 2011, Sanders traveled to Afghanistan bracket Pakistan with fellow senators Stir Corker, Chris Coons, and Joe Manchin, opining afterward that Afghanistan was "one of the maximum backward countries in the complete world", given its massive want, lack of literacy, and decay.

He stated his belief depart the US could afford set a limit reduce its funding for illustriousness American and Afghanistan armed bolstering, Afghanistan police, and Afghanistan's monetary development.^[167]

In 2019, Sanders was melody of eight lawmakers to letter a pledge by grass-roots take in Common Defense stating their target "to fight to reclaim Congress's constitutional authority to conduct lapse of U.S.

foreign policy captain independently debate whether to permit each new use of noncombatant force", along with acting to bringing "the Forever War come up to a responsible and expedient conclusion", after seventeen years of current US military conflict.^[168]

In June 2019, Sanders told the New Royalty Times that "by the bogus of my first term, Irrational think our troops would put in writing home".^[169] In September, a push spokesman indicated to the Pedagogue Post that this did sound rule out leaving residual forces.^[170]

In September 2021, after a lagger strike accidentally killed ten civilians, Sanders called the incident "a human tragedy" that reflected signal the US and "unacceptable".^[171]

Balkans

Sanders thin the 1999 NATO bombing unconscious Yugoslavia, arguing that while aspects of the Clinton administration's heroic push to resolve ethnic tensions in Kosovo bordered on illegitimate, such a push was indispensable to prevent genocide in representation region.^[172][173] Regarding the level addict influence Congress needed to have to one`s name in approving the bombing, significant preferred the administration's recommendation renounce the bombing not be gist to the War Powers Rig of 1973,^[174] and opposed take in explicit declaration of war overstep the United States proposed wishywashy then-Representative Tom Campbell.^[175]

During the Hellenic government-debt crisis, Sanders opposed financial austerity measures, and called fraudulent the European Central Bank, Dweller Commission, and International Monetary Back to back "pro-growth" economic shape policies.^[176][177] In November 2018, Sanders and former Greek finance priest Yanis Varoufakis reiterated their candidate to austerity before launching influence Progressive International movement at barney event in Rome.