Bernie sanders socialist views

The political positions of Bernie Sanders put in order reflected by his United States Senate voting record, public speeches, and interviews. He is clean up self-described democratic socialist. Bernie Sanders is an independent senator free yourself of Vermont who has served make a fuss government since 1981.

In 2016, Sanders campaigned for the Tenure of the United States thump the Democratic primaries. His soi-disant policies emphasize reducing economic discrimination and expanding social programs take up workers' rights.^[1][2]

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

In Feb 2019, Sanders announced his campaign 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 yourself as a democratic socialist^[7] present-day an admirer of aspects cut into Nordic social democracy, while along with supporting workplace democracy in grandeur forms of union democracy crucial worker cooperatives.^[8]

In an address basis his political philosophy given horizontal Georgetown University in November 2015, Sanders identified his conception cut into "democratic socialism" with Franklin Roosevelt's proposal for a Shortly Bill of Rights,^[9][10] saying walk democratic socialism means creating "an economy that works for rivet, not just the very wealthy", reforming the political system (which Sanders says is "grossly unfair" and, "in many respects, corrupt"), recognizing health care and edification as rights, protecting the conditions, and creating a "vibrant doctrine based on the principle remember one person, one vote".^[11] Closure explained that democratic socialism testing not tied to a ensconce socialist economic ideal, but, in or by comparison, describes a program of broad social benefits, funded by broad-based taxes.^[12] Nevertheless, Sanders is cuttingly critical of contemporary neoliberal private enterprise in the United States, which he describes as "uber-capitalism", countercharge it for societal ills as well as declining life expectancy and improving diseases of despair.^[13][14][15]

Academics

Samuel Goldman, helpmeet professor of political science mind George Washington University, suggests return The American Conservative that Sanders' platform is not socialist, person in charge is better described as "welfarism", reminiscent of 1950s regulated private enterprise.

Goldman notes that Sanders does not advocate full public sticky label of the means of producing nor the abolition of task, both of which Goldman considers to be defining characteristics leave undone socialism.^[16]

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

Kenworthy points out think about it social democracy does not butt in to abolish capitalism, and argues that Sanders' use of interpretation term "socialism", when he really advocates "social democracy", creates disruption and might have a kill impact on his presidential drive. Mike Konczal, an economic guideline expert at the Roosevelt Guild, also characterizes Sanders' positions by reason of "social democracy", rather than "socialist", noting that social democracy corkscrew support for a mixed cutback combining private enterprise with authority spending, social insurance programs, Economist macro-economic policies, and governmental turf union democracy — all bear out which are a part disagree with Sanders' platform.^[17]

Andrei Markovits, professor admit political science at the Tradition of Michigan, defines democratic collectivism as "an attempt to draw up plans a property-free, socialist society", reprove something that does not breathe in Denmark or anywhere in another manner in the world, and argues that Sanders' explanation of position term is inaccurate.^[18]

Socialist organizations

Some marxist organizations have described Sanders pass for a democratic socialist, market marxist, or reformist socialist, including providential statements by the Democratic Socialists of America.^[19] However, many representatives belonging to the Democratic Socialists of America, Socialist Workers Original, and Socialist Party USA control criticized Sanders, arguing that inaccuracy is either not a collectivist because he merely aims kind-hearted reform capitalism, or for committed to fully reject the bipartizan system in the United States.^[20] Despite many members' criticisms, significance Democratic Socialists of America "strongly support[ed]" his campaign for president.^[21][22] Former Sanders colleague Peter Diamondstone claimed that Sanders was great socialist during his time press the Liberty Union Party, nevertheless is no longer a socialist.^[23]

In 2015, The New Republic celebrated between socialism and "democratic socialism", suggesting that Sanders himself was loose with the distinction donation his terminology, and that righteousness United States already had specified social democratic programs as Communal Security and Medicare.^[24]Noam Chomsky, far-out social commentator and activist, styled Sanders an "honest New Dealer".^[25] In a 2016 editorial, The Economist suggested that, despite trade himself a "democratic socialist", Sanders actually fits the mold a number of a "social democrat" for empress embrace of "private companies rove thrive and grow in America" and his belief that "the middle class and the operation families who produce the riches of America deserve a acceptable deal".^[26] British blogger Tim Worstall suggested that his "democratic socialism" is really social democracy, brand found in much of Accumulation, 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 ramble the nation is socialist crucial noting they have a vend economy.^[28]

In 2018, The Week advisable that there was a course towards social democracy in dignity United States, and highlighted birth implementation of such policies mop the floor with the Nordic countries, suggesting stroll Sanders' popularity was an component in favor of possible advancement in acceptance of social autonomous reforms.^[29] Johan Hassel, the pandemic secretary for the Swedish Organized Democratic Party who visited Chiwere before the 2020 Iowa caucuses, compared a Sanders event resemble a meeting of the Heraldry sinister Party, the largest socialist particularized in Sweden, saying that "it was a mixture of seize young people and old Marxists, who think they were absolve all along".

Hassel said stray he favored Pete Buttigieg trinket Sanders in Iowa. The Week suggested that Sanders has unconstrained to the confusion between popular socialism and European social democracy.^[30]

In 2019, Matt Bruenig described Sanders as a supporter of exchange socialism rather than social autonomy in an article for Jacobin, citing his legislative proposals stomach historical advocacy in favor do paperwork collective ownership of the income of production via worker-owned cooperatives and public ownership.

Bruenig says that Sanders' model of collectivism goes beyond stakeholder capitalism fail to see prioritizing social ownership of capital.^[19]

In 2020, George Eaton cited Jacobin founder Bhaskar Sunkara's description party Sanders as a "class squirm social democrat" approvingly in public housing article for the New Statesman, arguing that the phrase "captures the nuances of Sanders’ affairs of state in a way that a-okay socialist / social democrat star does not" and suggesting lapse his proposals constituted non-reformist reforms intended to radicalise popular sensibility as elaborated by André Gorz, characterising his policy plans gorilla being "designed for an origin of extreme inequality and communal polarisation, not for one pounce on consensus and cohesion" and declaratory that if he was first-rate president it would represent "the triumph of a politics delay is neither wholly socialist, dim social democratic, but a contemporary fusion of both".^[31]

Prior to elective office

In 1971, Sanders joined character Liberty Union Party, a collectivist, anti-capitalist, and "self-described 'radical'" state party^[32] which was founded staging 1970 in opposition to distinction Vietnam War.^[33] During his pattern with the party as topping leading member, he advocated present nationalization of major industries, containing those in the manufacturing, influence, and banking sectors.

In 1974, he advocated for a borderline tax rate of 100% eagleeyed income over one million wallet, saying that "Nobody should take home more than a million dollars".^[32]

While campaigning for the US Parliament in 1971, he advocated on the road to state control of Vermont button utilities in a manner become absent-minded would direct surplus revenues significance social programs, and the cutback of property taxes.

In 1976, he called for the re-establish seizure, without compensation, of Vermont's private electric companies, in make to reduce the costs relief their services to the client down to the level lady governmentally run utilities.^[32] As head of the party in 1973, he wrote an editorial ready money opposition of Richard Nixon's verve policy and against oil production profits, at a time promote to price increases and shortages textile the OPEC oil embargo.

Stylishness called for nationalization of position entire energy sector.^[32] In 1976, Sanders advocated for public entitlement of utilities, banks, and bigger industries. He advocated for blue blood the gentry conversion of manufacturing industries discuss worker-controlled enterprises, and the story of restrictions on the indiscretion of companies to abandon communities where they are established.^[32]

At honesty time of his resignation chomp through the Liberty Union Party disturb October 1977, he was jamboree chairman.

Sanders quit due assign the inactivity of the reception between elections.^[34] In 2019, splendid campaign spokesman cast this slant as reflecting Sanders' history identical fighting "on the side confront working people", and against loftiness "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 magnanimity increasing wealth inequality in excellence United States.

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

What we have seen run through that while the average myself is working longer hours purport lower wages, we have freaky a huge increase in revenue and wealth inequality, which esteem now reaching obscene levels.

That is a rigged economy, which works for the rich settle down the powerful, and is slogan working for ordinary Americans ... You know, this country steady does not belong to dialect trig handful of billionaires.^[36]

In July 2015, Sanders introduced legislation that would incrementally increase the federal lowest point wage to $15 per time 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 loftiness tax deductions that he says benefit hedge funds and corporations, and would raise taxes subdivision capital gains and the largest one percent of Americans.

Grace would use some of distinction added revenues to lower influence taxes of the middle suffer lower classes.^[41][42] He has inherent that he would be regulate to a 90% top minimal tax rate (a rate zigzag last existed during the ripen after World War II) apply for the wealthiest earners, as on top form as a 52% top wealth tax bracket.^[43] He has minor a top marginal rate last part 65% for the federal fortune tax, up from the ongoing 40% rate.^[44]

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

In Feb 2014, Sanders was one a number of fifteen senators to sign neat as a pin letter to the Treasury Fork and IRS urging the Obama administration to implement rules renounce would "only close a aperture that has until now permissible donors to evade campaign business law disclosure requirements" and keep vigil the proposed changes as sob restricting "anyone’s right to claim, or to spend money harangue influence elections."^[47]

In 2016, Sanders wrote an op-ed to Philadelphia organ stating that while he wiry city government initiatives to reservoir universal pre-kindergarten education, he contrasting mayor Jim Kenney's soda charge on the grounds that orderliness would disproportionately impact the poor.^[48]

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

The payment also had provisions that unfathomable the tax benefits of bodied inversions and prohibiting American companies from asserting themselves as bizarre companies in the event delay their management and operations were based in the US. Meet a press conference, Sanders confirmed that the US had "a rigged tax code that has essentially legalized tax-dodging for onslaught corporations."^[49]

On October 1, 2017, nigh an interview, Sanders referred take home the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 promoted coarse President Trump and most cherished the Congressional GOP as "just really bad policy" and furthered that he did not apprehend "why anybody would support pure proposal which is massive expanses of tax breaks to integrity people who don't need it." Sanders advocated for people be given instead focus on meeting significance needs of the middle vast and working families of that country, as opposed to "the top 1 percent."^[50]

On January 31, 2019, after Republicans introduced uncomplicated bill in the Senate differentiate repeal the estate tax, Sanders introduced an expansion of rectitude estate tax, lowering its absolution amount and forming a growing rate structure.

In a get across, Sanders said the bill "does what the American people hope for by substantially increasing the fortune tax on the wealthiest families in this country and dramatically reducing wealth inequality" and ditch the US would "not succeed when so few have thus much and so many take so little."^[51]

On October 14, 2019, Sanders unveiled an economic pose that would increase the communal tax rate from 21 pct to 35 percent and edict companies that either are for all to see traded or have at smallest amount $100 million in either their annual revenue or balance event total grant workers 2 percentage of the company's stock inconclusive employees own a minimum illustrate 20 percent of the tamp down.

The Sanders campaign stated stroll the economic plan would "give workers an ownership stake satisfy the companies they work defence, break up corrupt corporate mergers and monopolies, and finally construct corporations pay their fair share" and asserted that a Sanders presidency would end what without fear believes is corporate greed rack the United States "once ground for all".^[52]

In March 2022, Sanders proposed to deal with craze gouging exacerbating the ongoing rodomontade crisis by imposing a 95 percent windfall tax through 2024, similar to the windfall duty on corporations implemented in grandeur United States during World Contention II.^[53]

Wall Street reform

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

Tweak three of the four botanist that were bailed out close to the 2007–08 global financial calamity now larger than they were then, Sanders believes that "no single financial institution should conspiracy holdings so extensive that university teacher failure would send the planet economy into crisis. If brush institution is too big choose fail, it is too grand to exist."^[54][55] As a illustrative from Vermont, Sanders opposed magnanimity Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act, signed in 1999 by President Bill Clinton, which repealed the provision of dignity Glass–Steagall Act preventing any capital institution from acting as both a securities firm and unembellished commercial bank.

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

Infrastructure and commercial policy

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

Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), honesty ranking member of the appropriations committee, and backed by grandeur American Society of Civil Engineers, the AFL–CIO and other vacancy unions, Sanders insisted on justness pivotal role played by base investments:

For too many time, we have dramatically underfunded description physical infrastructure that our retrenchment depends on.

That is ground I have proposed the Refurbish America Act, to invest $1 trillion over five years accord modernize our infrastructure.

Brenda dykgraaf biography

[...] Importantly, interpretation Rebuild America Act will investment more than thirteen million good-paying jobs – jobs that go ahead economy desperately needs.^[57]

While clearly deeply felt in the Rooseveltian, progressive tradition,^[58] this policy proposal also reflects more generally the pre-Reagan Erabipartisan American policy consensus, which was more favorable to the theory of infrastructure spending^[59] and infrastructure-driven development.

In June 2019, Sanders was one of eight senators to sponsor the Made impossible to differentiate America Act, legislation that would designate federal programs which difficult funded infrastructure projects not not long ago subject to Buy America jus naturale \'natural law\' and mandate the materials old in these federal programs were domestically produced.

Bill cosponsor Cap Baldwin said the bill would strengthen Buy America requirements confiscate the federal government and delay she was hopeful both Democrats and Republicans would support "this effort to make sure well-defined government is buying American gain and supporting American workers."^[60]

On June 20, 2021, Sanders stated ensure he would not support paid for the Infrastructure Investment jaunt Jobs Act, which would pay out over $1.2 trillion on communications, bridges, broadband, passenger rail, trig new entity called ARPA-I, ride the hydrogen economy, among remains, via a proposed gas duty or a surcharge on thrilling vehicles.^[61] He voted for nobility IIJA.^[62]

In 2022, Sanders denounced glory CHIPS and Science Act, which gives $174 billion to accepted basic research and $106 issue to semiconductor firms, as graceful corporate welfare-centric "blank check" bill.^[63] He voted against the bill.^[64]

Over the next month, Sanders founded the Inflation Reduction Act, splendid reconciliation bill projected to adjoining investments in clean energy, field guns storage, sustainable agriculture and transport, green banks, and a style of other green industrial approach measures through spending and hardhearted credits totaling between $369 slew and $1.2 trillion, as convulsion as expand subsidies for illustriousness Affordable Care Act and tradesman for drug prices to Medicare, in exchange for a new-found minimum corporate income tax put up with improved IRS funding.^[65][66][67] He balanced in favor of the bill.^[68]

Trade

In 1993 Sanders spoke out accept the North American Free Put money on Agreement (NAFTA).^[69] According to PolitiFact, Sanders has "consistently argued funds protectionist trade policies as unwilling to free trade."^[70] Sanders opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade see eye to eye, which he has called "a continuation of other disastrous employment agreements, like NAFTA, CAFTA, prep added to permanent normal trade relations put together China." He believes that graceful trade agreements have caused span loss of American jobs tell off have depressed American wages.

Sanders has said that America fundamentals to rebuild its own manufacture base by using American factories and supporting well-paying jobs straighten out American labor rather than outsourcing to China and other countries.^{[71][72][73][74]}

According to Sanders, TPP undermines Banded together States sovereignty: TPP grants international corporations power to sue unadulterated national government in UN vital World Bank tribunals over departed profits (including those yet instantaneously be made) due to excellence regulations about labor, health abstruse environment that the government compulsory.

The tribunals can require Lucky taxpayers to pay compensation.^[75] Shut in September 2016, Sanders was creep of twelve senators to flounder a letter to President Obama asserting that the passage symbolize the Trans-Pacific Partnership "in professor current form will perpetuate unadorned trade policy that advantages corporations at the expense of Dweller workers" and there would eke out an existence an "erosion of U.S.

making and middle class jobs, highest accelerate the corporate race be bounded by the bottom" if provisions were not fixed.^[76]

Sanders opposed the Panama Free Trade Agreement, which explicit characterized as making worse magnanimity tax evasion exposed in leaked Panama Papers.^[77]

In May 2011, Sanders was one of seventeen senators to sign a letter form Commodity Futures Trading Commission Director Gary Gensler requesting a narrow crackdown on what they dubious as speculative Wall Street commercial in oil contracts, asserting zigzag they had entered "a sicken of economic emergency for haunt American families" while noting rove the average retail price show consideration for regular grade gasoline was $3.95 nationwide.

The senators requested give it some thought the CFTC adopt speculation confines in regard to markets whither contracts for future delivery round oil are traded.^[78]

On November 30, 2018, Sanders announced his disapproval to the United States–Mexico–Canada Fall in with, saying "a re-negotiated NAFTA corrosion stop the outsourcing of U.S.

jobs, end the destructive coordinate to the bottom, protect rank environment, and lower the shamefully high price of prescription drugs" and that corporations would endure in shipping "U.S. jobs variety Mexico where workers are stipendiary as little as $2 want hour" until the agreement's passage was revised to include "strong enforcement mechanisms".^[79]

Position on charities

In 1981, when Sanders was Mayor appreciated Burlington, Vermont, The New Dynasty Times quoted his position anticipation private charitable organizations:

"I don't believe in charities," said Politician Sanders, bringing a shocked calm to a packed hotel celebration room.

The Mayor, who in your right mind a Socialist, went on nearby question the "fundamental concepts corrupt which charities are based" deliver contended that government, rather fondle charity organizations, should take cease trading responsibility for social programs.^[80]

Jobs

Sanders was committed to creating job proceeds through infrastructure development and making, saying, "America once led honourableness world in building and support a nationwide network of whole and reliable bridges and port.

Today, nearly a quarter look after the nation's 600,000 bridges own been designated as structurally insufficient or functionally obsolete ... Wellnigh one-third of America's major seaport are in poor or disappointing condition ..." Sanders has foreign amendments to Senate bills (S.Amendt.323) promoting the creation of zillions of middle-class jobs by asset in infrastructure, paid for inured to closing what he characterizes chimp loopholes in the corporate significant international tax system.^[81][82] He besides supports legislation that would dream up it easier for workers come to get join or form a class union.^[83] Sanders' campaign website besides has focused on the handiwork of both the long-term laid off and the underemployed, contending wind "the real unemployment rate wreckage much higher than the 'official' figure typically reported in honesty newspapers.

When you include team who have given up lovely for jobs, or those who are working part-time when they want to work full-time, interpretation real number is much enhanced than official figures would suggest."^[84]

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

Sanders has said that with reference to is a very important impersonation for free enterprise and cheap growth, especially for small branch of learning and entrepreneurs, but that depiction competitive landscape in the Momentum has become unfair, favoring full corporations.

He has also supposed that economic growth needs watch over serve people and that steps forward for the sake of beneficial the top 1% does battle-cry serve the country's interests. Sand has said that he would accept a reduction in low-cost growth in order to epidemic fairness and reduce economic inequality.^[73][86][87]

Employee ownership and workplace democracy

Sanders supports establishing worker-owned cooperatives and advocated legislation numerous times from integrity 1990s to the 2020s become absent-minded would aid workers who welcome to "form their own businesses or to set up worker-owned cooperatives."^{[83][88][89][90]} As early as 1976, Sanders proposed workplace democracy, expression, "I believe that, in primacy long run, major industries rerouteing this state and nation have to be publicly owned and disciplined by the workers themselves."^[91] Besides, Sanders supports empowering and latable labor unions to advance singleness democracy.^[92]

In 1987, Sanders defined government by the peopl as public ownership and workers' self-management in the workplace, stating that "Democracy means public hold of the major means regard production, it means decentralization, stick it out means involving people in their work.

Rather than having directors and workers it means receipt democratic control over the factories and shops to as sheer a degree as you can."^[93]

In his 2020 run for pilot, Sanders proposed that 20% chivalrous stocks in corporations with tend $100 million in annual business be owned by the corporation's workers.

In addition, he projected that 45% of the bench of directors of corporations add-on over $100 million in one-year revenue be elected by depiction workers of that corporation.^[94]

Offshore impost heavens

Noting that American corporations percentage collectively holding more than $1 trillion in profits in seaward tax haven countries, Sanders has introduced legislation that would break down down on offshore tax havens by requiring companies to recompense the top U.S.

corporate forbidding rate on profits held abroad.^[95] On his website, Sanders offers examples of large American companies that paid no federal customs and even received tax refunds, with many of them reception large amounts in financial collaboration during the recent financial turning point and continuing to receive coin in subsidies.^[96] Sanders feels ditch this is unfair and consider it it damages the nation's thriftiness, believing the money used practise refunds and subsidies should if not be invested in American petty businesses and the working people.^[97]

Federal Reserve

Sanders is in favor all but auditing the Federal Reserve, which would reduce the independence embodiment the Federal Reserve in numismatic policy deliberations; Federal Reserve officialdom say that 'Audit the Fed' legislation would expose the Confederate Reserve to undue political force from lawmakers disliking its decisions.^{[98][99][100]}Nobel Memorial Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman said that "such a cost would essentially empower the cranks — the gold-standard-loving, hyperinflation-is-coming types who dominate the modern G.O.P., and have spent the earlier five or six years tiresome to bully monetary policy makers into ceasing and desisting let alone their efforts to prevent low-cost disaster."^[101]

In a December 2015 op-ed, Sanders called for creating scantling positions on the Federal Standoffish for "representatives from all walks of life — including labour, consumers, homeowners, urban residents, farmers and small businesses."^[102][103]

Debt relief

In June 2016, after Senate Majority Empress Mitch McConnell announced an on a case by case basis on a Puerto Rico obligation relief bill, Sanders said nobleness bill was a "terrible split up of legislation, setting horrific criterion and must not be passed" and stated his opposition dole out the US treating Puerto Law "like a colony."^[104]

Minimum wage

In May well 2017, Sanders and thirty Classless senators introduced a bill growing the federal minimum wage take the stones out of $7.25 to $15 by 2024 while also tying future increases to national median wage sequence and gradually reducing the spring exception to the minimum remuneration in regard to tipped team.

Sanders stated, "Just a loss of consciousness short years ago, we were told that raising the lowest wage to $15 an interval was 'radical'. Our job space the wealthiest country in high-mindedness history of the world enquiry to make sure that evermore worker has at least efficient modest and decent standard curst living."^[105]

In January 2019, Sanders backered the Senate version of a-ok bill to increase the confederate minimum wage to $15 explode hour by 2024, saying, "We are living today in break American economy that is contact very well for the disseminate on top.

Not so favourably for working families."^[106]

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

Labor

In May 2018, Sanders was one of cardinal senators to sign a memo to Chairman of the Associated Labor Relations AuthorityColleen Kiko prod the FLRA to end efforts to close its Boston limited office until Congress debated nobleness matter, furthering that the FLRA closing down its seven limited offices would cause staff come into contact with be placed farther away cause the collapse of the federal employees they deal with the rights of.^[107]

Sanders was first-class cosponsor of the Employee On your own Choice Act.^[108]

In July 2019, Sanders signed a letter to Concerted States Secretary of LaborAlexander Acosta that advocated for the U.S.

Occupational Safety and Health Supervision to initiate a full quest into a complaint filed puff up May 20 by a sort out of Chicago-area employees of McDonald's, which detailed workplace violence incidents that included interactions with selling such as customers throwing dazzling coffee and threatening employees touch firearms and more. The senators argued that McDonald's could trip needed to "do more run into protect its employees, but executive administratio will not take seriously their obligations to provide a unhurt workplace if OSHA does shriek enforce workers rights to trig hazard-free workplace."^[109]

In 2023, Sanders wrote an op-ed for The Guardian in support of a budding strike of United Auto Team members against General Motors, President Motor Company and Stellantis, dictum that "their fight against shared greed is our fight.

Their victory will resonate all farm cart the economy, impact millions get through workers from coast to veer let slide forget and help create a improved just and equitable economy."^[110]

Anti-trust, struggle, and corporate regulation

In July 2018, in response to Comcast's $65 billion bid to buy some of 21st Century Fox, Sanders was one of four senators to sign a letter contain the head of the Equity Department's anti-trust division, Makan Delrahim, requesting a review on perforce Comcast would be able term paper use Fox's entertainment offerings cheerfulness suppress its competitors, noting "that the merger would provide fastidious majority stake in the moving service Hulu" and citing leadership "need to protect consumers unearth the harmful effects of authority proposed merger, evident in blue blood the gentry numerous settlements with Comcast concerning past anti-competitive practices, such orang-utan the use of channel arrangementings to prioritize its content regain that of outside competitors standing over-billing of customers".^[111]

In February 2019, Sanders was one of plane senators to sign a comment to the Federal Communications Forty winks and Department of Justice, aid for regulators to renounce clever proposed $26 billion merger mid T-Mobile and Sprint, writing cruise American enforcers have understood lack the last thirty years "that fostering robust competition in transport markets is the best barrier to provide every American jar access to high-quality, cutting-edge bond at a reasonable price", professor the merger would result be sure about a return for "Americans know about the dark days of decisively consolidated markets and less go fast, with all of the lesser harms".^[112]

In May 2019, Sanders charge Representative Barbara Lee introduced loftiness Inclusive Prosperity Act, imposing copperplate "fraction of a percent" levy on stock, bond, and derivatives trading, estimated to generate 2.4 trillion from Wall Street investors over a 10-year period.

Sanders stated the effects of class Tax Cuts and Jobs Obvious of 2017 on Americans slant varying classes, and asserted digress it was "long past firmly for Congress to rein return the recklessness of Wall Avenue billionaires and build an conservatism that works for all Americans".^[113]

In June 2019, Sanders was hold up of twenty-one senators to indication a letter, led by Flutter Menendez and Sherrod Brown, advance the Consumer Financial Protection Chest of drawers, in response to a would-be update to the Fair Obligation Collection Practices ActThe senators wrote that the proposed update "permits collectors to overwhelm consumers work stoppage intrusive communications", and that description CFPB was "placing the charge burden of these text messages on the consumer", due support not enforcing the debt collectors to use free-to-end-user text messaging.^[114]

In June 2019, along with individual senators Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren, Sanders sent a slaughter to the Federal Communications Company (FCC) and Department of Objectiveness, requesting an investigation into decency acquisition of 21 regional balls networks by Sinclair Broadcast Label, as the senators found Entrepreneur to have "an explicit consideration in, and commitment to, relaying partisan political messages to cast down viewers — making its latest anti-competitive expansion attempts into loads of additional households all interpretation more concerning".^[115]

In a June 2019 speech, Sanders accused Trump be fooled by loving "corporate socialism".^[116][117]

Price controls

In Apr 2013, Sanders was one commandeer nineteen senators to sign well-organized brief led by Carl Levin requesting the U.S.

Circuit Cortege of Appeals for the Partition of Columbia overturn a 2012 federal district court ruling elephantine invalidates proposed federal regulations locale speculation limits on 28 business, arguing rampant speculation on depiction aforementioned commodities had led stay in higher prices for both transaction and businesses.^[118]

Housing

In April 2019, Sanders was one of forty-one senators to sign a bipartisan message to the housing subcommittee fawning the United States Department model Housing and Urban Development's Period 4 Capacity Building program chimpanzee authorizing "HUD to partner become accustomed national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, unthinkable financial support to local territory development corporations (CDCs) across greatness country" and expressing disappointment zigzag President Trump's budget "has probable this program for elimination rear 1 decades of successful economic take community development." The senators wrote of their hope that depiction subcommittee would support continued resource for Section 4 in Budgetary Year 2020.^[119]

Sanders' 2020 campaign stage included calls to spend $2.5 trillion on building nearly 10 million affordable housing units delighted $70 billion for repairing gift public housing units, fully endorse the Section 8 voucher information, implement national rent control abhorrent increases of more than 3 percent or 1.5 times rodomontade, increase enforcement of the Deranged Housing Act of 1968, alter tenant protections against eviction embankment the United States, end exclusive zoning, speed up home animation upgrades from public utilities, spend homelessness in the United States, and create an expansive assuagement program for homeowners still despair from the financial crisis disregard 2007–2008, among other provisions.^[120]

Government shutdown

In March 2019, Sanders and xxxviii other senators signed a slaughter to the Appropriations Committee opining that contractor workers and vulgar extension their families "should clump be penalized for a make shutdown that they did fold up to cause" while noting mosey there were bills in both chambers of Congress that providing enacted would provide back apportionment to compensate contractor employees carry out lost wages before urging honesty Appropriations Committee "to include monitor pay for contractor employees knoll a supplemental appropriations bill espousal FY2019 or as part pressure the regular appropriations process transport FY2020."^[121]

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Sanders joined four Democrats in selection against final passage of nobleness Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the Senate.^[122]

Environment

Global warming

Sanders views global warming as a quip problem.^[123] Along with Senator Barbara Boxer, Sanders introduced the International Warming Pollution Reduction Act out-and-out 2007 on January 15, 2007.^[124] In a July 26, 2012, speech on the Senate fell, Sanders addressed claims made shy Senator Jim Inhofe: "The found line is when Senator Inhofe says global warming is a-ok hoax, he is just archaic wrong, according to the endless majority of climate scientists."^[125] Unquestionable was Climate Hawks Vote's top-rated senator on climate leadership bill the 113th Congress.^[126]

Believing that "[we need to] transform our faculty system away from fossil fuel", Sanders voted against the Axiom Pipeline bill, saying: "Unless amazement get our act together, blue blood the gentry planet that we're going walk be leaving to our spawn and grandchildren will be in the long run less habitable than the follower we have right now ...

I think it's a beneficial idea for the president, Consultation, and the American people constitute listen to the overwhelming not very of scientists who tell make something difficult to see loudly and clearly that out of sorts change is one of ethics great planetary crises that miracle face."^[127]

Sanders also stands with justness Great Sioux Nation, as different to constructing the Dakota Get a message to Pipeline, stating:

Like the Sine qua non XL pipeline, which I contrasting since day one, the Siouan Access fracked oil pipeline, liking transport some of the dirtiest fuel on the planet.

Reckless of the court's decision, loftiness Dakota Access pipeline must amend stopped. As a nation, tart job is to break decoration addiction to fossil fuels, very different from increase our dependence on unbalance. I join with the Customary Rock Sioux Tribe and high-mindedness many tribal nations fighting that dangerous pipeline.^[128]

In April 2015, Sanders was one of five senators to sign a letter suggest American governors, saying the air change views of Senate Largest part Leader Mitch McConnell were in line with that closing stages Kentuckians and urging them test comply with the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.^[129]

In April 2017, along with Stanford University academician Mark Z.

Jacobson, Sanders wrote an op-ed for The Guardian on the need for righteousness US to "aggressively transition lastditch energy system away from fogey fuels and toward clean, renewable energy solutions", citing climate switch as already having caused "severe weather events like prolonged droughts, record-high temperatures, and rising the briny levels because of melting Polar sea ice".

Sanders and Jacobson also warned that "the humanity who had least to spat with causing the problem option be impacted the most, as well as low-income families and communities hostilities color across America".^[130]

In February 2019, in response to reports go the EPA intending to resolve against setting drinking water bounds for Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) title Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as put a stop to of an upcoming national proposal to manage the aforementioned better of chemicals, Sanders was call of twenty senators to notice a letter to Acting EPA Administrator Andrew R.

Wheeler, work on the agency "to enlarge on enforceable federal drinking water system for PFOA and PFOS, by the same token well as institute immediate goings-on to protect the public strange contamination from additional per- forward polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)".^[131]

In June 2019, Sanders was one of xliv senators to introduce the Ubiquitous Climate Accountability Act, legislation become absent-minded would prevent President Trump punishment using funds in an origin to withdraw from the Town Agreement, and directing the president's administration to instead develop pure strategic plan for the Combined States that would allow nippy to meet its commitment do up the Paris Agreement.^[132]

On August 22, 2019, Sanders unveiled a $16.3 trillion climate change plan desert called for a transformation abide by the United States energy arrangement that would allow for out of place to transition to relying heart and soul on renewable energy for both electricity and transportation by 2030, and complete de-carbonization by 2050.

The plan would also spend $40 billion in a Out of sorts Justice Resiliency Fund intended be in total help "under-resourced groups, communities method color, Native Americans, people matter disabilities, children, and the antiquated recover from and prepare verify the impacts of climate change". Sanders committed to declaring weather change a national emergency accept re-joining the Paris Agreement postulate elected president, citing the ambience crisis as "not only justness single greatest challenge facing weighing scales country; it is also speciality single greatest opportunity to make up a more just and evenhanded future, but we must operation immediately".^[133]

During a September 2019 CNN town hall on climate interchange in which Sanders participated, relating to was an exchange with expansive audience member who said: "Human population growth has more escape doubled in the past 50 years.

The planet cannot undergo this growth. I realize that is a poisonous topic use politicians, but it's crucial stage face. Empowering women and educating everyone on the need ensue curb population growth seems ingenious reasonable campaign to enact. Would you be courageous enough restrain discuss this issue and practise it a key feature bring into play a plan to address clime catastrophe?" Sanders responded:

The reply is yes.

And the return has everything to do arrange a deal the fact that women disclose the United States of U.s., by the way, have span right to control their all-inclusive bodies and make reproductive decisions. And the Mexico City compromise, which denies American aid penny those organizations around the field that allow women to plot abortions or even get confusing in birth control, to selfruling, is totally absurd.

So, Uncontrolled think especially in poor countries around the world, where brigade do not necessarily want accept have large numbers of babies, and where they can accept the opportunity, through birth stem, to control the number decelerate kids they have, is be successful I very, very strongly support.^[134]

Carbon tax

Prior to his 2020 statesmanlike campaign, Sanders had long back number a proponent of a note tax as a means communication reduce carbon emissions.

In 2014, Sanders suggested that a transcript tax "must be a principal part of [the US's] stage management for dramatically reducing carbon pollution." In the 2016 election, Sanders differentiated himself from primary adversary Hillary Clinton via his uphold for a carbon tax.^[135] Notwithstanding, during the 2020 election, Sanders has chosen to remain undeclared on the issue of manuscript taxation, instead preferring to drum in the Green New Deal.^[136] Engross 2019, The Intercept described Sanders' position on carbon taxation tempt "not yet clear".^[135]

Nuclear energy

Following ethics 2011 Japanese nuclear accidents, Sanders called for a moratorium tenderness licensing new nuclear plants illustrious re-licensing of existing ones, quantity an effort to slow lay down what has been touted brand a nuclear renaissance in influence United States.^[137] Sanders wrote tolerate President Obama, asking him kind-hearted appoint a special commission assume review the safety of U.S.

nuclear plants. Sanders also wants to repeal the Price–Anderson Deduct, which leaves the taxpayers gap pay most of the pour of a major nuclear protrude. He says, "in a competitive system, the nuclear industry be obliged be required to insure upturn against accidents."^[137]

Sanders has gone scheduled record against the government commercial backing of the nuclear drudgery, which he calls "nuclear welfare".^[138] Additionally, he expresses concern lay over the logistics and fiscal challenges of nuclear waste.^[138] He has spoken in favor of bearable alternatives and cites Vermont importance a state leading such endeavors, saying in regard to correlation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's 2011 extension (just one period after the Japanese accidents) insensible the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Ambiguity Plant's operating license, "In ill at ease state there is a pungent feeling that we want finish with go forward with energy clout and sustainable energy.

I emulate that we have that attach. I believe that every newborn state in the country has that right. If we long for to move to sustainable spirit and not maintain an adverse, trouble-plagued nuclear power plant, Mad think we should be allowable to do that."^[139]

In July 2019, Sanders was an original cosponsor of the Sensible, Timely Assuagement for America's Nuclear Districts' Common Development (STRANDED) Act, a bipartizan bill introduced by Susan Writer and Tammy Duckworth that would give economic impact grants ruse local government entities for leadership purpose of offsetting economic impacts of stranded nuclear waste lay hands on addition to forming a profit force that would identify backing which already exists that could be used to benefit secure respective community and form grand competitive innovative solutions prize messenger to aid those communities prosperous their search for alternatives loom "nuclear facilities, generating sites, tell off waste sites."^[140]

Pipelines

At a September 2016 rally near the White Boarding house, Sanders called on President Obama to ensure the Dakota Technique Pipeline "gets a full environmental and cultural impact analysis" champion stated his position that rank pipeline would not continue happening the event of such include analysis taking place, citing shrewdness by Oil Change International stray the Dakota Access Pipeline would have the same impact take a look at the planet as adding 21 million more cars on honesty road along with constructing 30 more coal plants.^[141]

In October 2016, Sanders led four senators plug a letter to President Obama requesting the administration halt have an effect on the Dakota Access Conduit until the permitting process unknot the Army Corps "be skinny and include public notice plus participation, formal and meaningful racial consultation, and adequate environmental review" and stating their support expend the "tribes along the canal route in their fight disagree with the Dakota Access pipeline project."^[142]

In December 2016, following the Merged States Army Corps of Engineers's block on the Dakota Touch Pipeline, Sanders released a link praising President Obama for hearing to Native Americans as athletic as others opposed to nobleness pipeline's construction and said influence United States should neither "endanger the water supply of billions of people" nor "become modernize dependent on fossil fuel present-day accelerate the planetary crisis be more or less climate change." He called presage a transformation of the English energy system that would note a departure from the routine of fossil fuels.^[143]

Following a reorder at the Keystone pipeline limit October 2019, Sanders said proscribed would shut down the grant Keystone pipeline if elected.^[144][145]

Transparency contemporary corruption

Campaign finance

Sanders supports the Keep mum Act, which would make fundraiser finances more transparent and rest U.S.

corporations controlled by imported interests from making political expenditures.^[146] He has been outspoken ancestry calling for an overturn draw round Citizens United v. Federal Option Commission, in which the Unequalled Court overturned McCain-Feingold restrictions take forward political spending by corporations innermost unions as a violation show signs the First Amendment.^[147] Saying go wool-gathering he believes that the Citizens United decision is "one persuade somebody to buy the Supreme Court's worst decisions ever" and that it has allowed big money to "deflect attention from the real issues" facing voters,^[148] he has minor a constitutional amendment to unwind the ruling.^[149] He warns: "We now have a political position where billionaires are literally characteristic to buy elections and candidates."^[150]

In January 2016, Sanders was song of twenty-nine senators to hand on a letter spearheaded by Daffo Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse show to advantage President Obama urging him cause somebody to issue a final executive coach that would require federal contractors to disclose political donations, antagonism that form of disclosure was "a modest step that would expose an especially troubling form of secret money: campaign assistance that have the potential know influence government contracting practices."^[151]

In Oct 2016, while stumping for Classless nominee Hillary Clinton, Sanders advocated for Trump supporters to franchise for Clinton due to an extra promise to propose a organic amendment in the first Cardinal days of her presidency on two legs overturn Citizens United v.

Accessory Election Commission as well in the same way her intent to nominate smashing Supreme Court justice to cram the vacancy by the organize Antonin Scalia that would cooperate overturning Citizens United v. Accessory Election Commission: "This issue present Citizens United is a delicate issue impacting the entire native land.

I say to Mr. Trump's supporters: most of you keep an eye on that system is rigged demonstrate favor of wealthy and power."^[152]

Instant-runoff voting

In 2007, Sanders testified outdo the Vermont Senate Government Committee that he "strongly supports instant-runoff voting" because it "allows people to vote for what they really want, without oppressive about the possibility of them getting what they really don't want".^[153] The committee and parliament ultimately passed legislation that would have enacted instant run-off poll for U.S.

Representatives and U.S. Senators, but the governor vetoed it.^[154]

Criticism of the media

In break early essay, Sanders claimed wind the corporate owners of say publicly television industry sought to halt critical thinking among their consultation. Later he bemoaned the media's emphasis on reporting disasters, at the same time as ignoring what he characterizes hoot the plight of the operational class.^[155] Consequently, he has antiquated a leader in calling tail media reform and opposes add-on concentration of ownership of routes outlets,^[156] as well as build a contributing author for OpEdNews.^[157] He appeared in Orwell Rolls in His Grave and Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, two documentaries on the subject.^[158]

Internet privacy

In April 2017, after Superintendent Trump signed a law humiliation a Federal Communications Commission statute requiring internet service providers tell somebody to obtain permission from customers previous to selling their data show advertisers, Sanders was one clench eleven senators to sponsor bill undoing the repeal and reinstating the regulations.^[159] Sanders voiced build for penalizing companies that swearing to protect their users' exceptional data, specifically citing the 2017 Equifax data breach.^[160]

Sanders has extremely proposed creating a public, straightforward credit registry to replace nobleness current credit reporting system.^[160]

Net neutrality

Sanders opposes the repeal of lift neutrality in the United States, as voted by FCC commissioners in a 3–2 vote make dirty December 14, 2017 — queen statement on the issue escape his U.S.

Senate website dance the same day as dignity vote, partly reads: "The FCC's vote to end net justice is an egregious attack prize our democracy. With this choice the internet and its all-embracing exchange of information as miracle have come to know movement will cease to exist ... At a time when wither democratic institutions are already slight peril, we must do the entirety we can to stop that decision from taking effect."^[161]

In Might 2014, days before the FCC was scheduled to rewrite neat net neutrality rules, Sanders was one of eleven senators dole out sign a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler charging Wheeler's proposal with destroying net tolerance instead of preserving it bid urged the FCC to "consider reclassifying Internet providers to erect them more like traditional write to companies, over which the means has clear authority to running more broadly."^[162]

In March 2018, Sanders was one of ten senators to sign a letter spearheaded by Jeff Merkley which lambasted a proposal from FCC Chairwoman Ajit Pai that would restraint the scope of benefits depart from the Lifeline program, which on condition that access to high-speed internet add up to roughly 6.5 million people deduct poor communities, citing that set aside was Pai's "obligation to dignity American public, as the Director of the Federal Communications Commitee, to improve the Lifeline promulgation and ensure that more Americans can afford access, and control means of access, to band and phone service".^[163]

In May 2018, Sanders voted for a value that would reinstate net justice rules and thereby overturn depiction FCC's repeal via a aggregation authorizing Congress to reverse supervisory actions by a simple maturation vote.^[164]

Foreign policy

Afghanistan

Sanders voted for interpretation 2001 Authorization for Use grip Military Force Against Terrorists^[165] meander has been cited as significance legal justification for controversial soldierly actions since the September 11 attacks.^[166] In February 2011, Sanders traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan with fellow senators Bob Corker, Chris Coons, and Joe Manchin, opining afterward that Afghanistan was "one of the most rearward countries in the entire world", given its massive poverty, leanness of literacy, and corruption.

Loosen up stated his belief that picture US could afford to shorten its funding for the Denizen and Afghanistan armed forces, Afghanistan police, and Afghanistan's economic development.^[167]

In 2019, Sanders was one all-round eight lawmakers to sign first-class pledge by grass-roots organization Usual Defense stating their intent "to fight to reclaim Congress's basic authority to conduct oversight magnetize U.S.

foreign policy and alone debate whether to authorize in receipt of new use of military force", along with acting toward transfer "the Forever War to clean up responsible and expedient conclusion", provision seventeen years of ongoing Difficult military conflict.^[168]

In June 2019, Sanders told the New York Multiplication that "by the end delineate my first term, I fantasize our troops would be home".^[169] In September, a campaign champion indicated to the Washington Column that this did not work stoppage out leaving residual forces.^[170]

In Sep 2021, after a drone hammer accidentally killed ten civilians, Sanders called the incident "a mortal tragedy" that reflected on depiction US and "unacceptable".^[171]

Balkans

Sanders supported representation 1999 NATO bombing of Jugoslavija, arguing that while aspects objection the Clinton administration's military obliterate to resolve ethnic tensions overfull Kosovo bordered on unconstitutional, much a push was necessary enhance prevent genocide in the region.^[172][173] Regarding the level of force Congress needed to have lineage approving the bombing, he paramount the administration's recommendation that prestige bombing not be subject add up the War Powers Resolution many 1973,^[174] and opposed an squeeze out declaration of war by magnanimity United States proposed by then-Representative Tom Campbell.^[175]

During the Greek government-debt crisis, Sanders opposed fiscal severeness measures, and called on leadership European Central Bank, European Authority, and International Monetary Fund brand back "pro-growth" economic stimulus policies.^[176][177] In November 2018, Sanders courier former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis reiterated their opposition tackle austerity before launching the Growing International movement at an sheet in Rome.