Bernie Sanders

WASHINGTON, May 21 – Senator Bernie Sanders, a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today urged the Senate to approve a new GI Bill that would provide expanded education benefits for a new generation of veterans.

The legislation that Sanders (I-Vt.) cosponsored would guarantee a full scholarship to any public, in-state university for veterans who served three years in the military, including activated National Guard troops and reservists. The expanded benefits also could be used for students at private colleges and for graduate schools.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is letting Senate leaders know today of his intent to offer an amendment to the Iraq supplemental spending bill to safely redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq, after which funding for the war would end.

Army National Guard soldier locked in an emotional embrace at homecoming: 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division of the Army National Guard in Anoka, MN. After having their tour extended by the troop surge, the "Red Bulls" were the longest serving guard unit, having been in Iraq since late 2005. Photo by Poppyseed Bandits (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 20 – After doctors said today that Senator Edward M. Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor, Senator Bernie Sanders made the following statement:

“Senator Kennedy is clearly a giant of the Senate and one of the outstanding legislators in American history. I hope that his fighting spirit and medical science will help him return to the Senate in good health. The Senate needs him and, most importantly, the country needs him.”

Source: Senator Bernie Sanders

WASHINGTON, May 14 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) applauded inclusion of key nutrition, renewable energy, and food security provisions in a farm bill poised for final passage by the Senate later this week. The measure also expands the Milk Income Loss Contract Program crucial to Vermont dairy farmers.

Sanders championed a fresh-produce snack program. He helped to secure expanded support for wood as an energy resource. A nutrition education program that links schools with community gardens also was included at his request in the final bill.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, April 24 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that outrageously high oil and gas prices that Vermonters and Americans are paying constitute a national emergency that requires a bold response from the White House and Congress.

Gas prices: Photo by Ewen Roberts (CC)    » read more »

04/02/2008 -- The National League of Cities (NLC) today presented key Senators with the signatures of nearly 400 local officials from 46 states in support of funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. In a meeting today with Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), NLC officials displayed 400 energy-efficient light bulbs representing the innovative work already occurring in cities and towns across the country to advance energy conservation.

Senator Bernie Sanders    » read more »

BURLINGTON, March 19 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today, on the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq, that the United States must bring its troops home as soon as possible.

“More than five years ago, as a member of the House, I voted against giving President Bush the authority to go to war in Iraq.

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, in Iraq: Using a wall for cover, U.S. Army paratroopers scan rooftops and radio for air cover after receiving fire from an insurgent in Tall Afar, Iraq, Nov. 26, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Wilt    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 13 – The Senate on Thursday ploughed through a series of votes on amendments to a $3 trillion budget blueprint including a 43 to 55 roll call rejecting a proposal by Senator Bernie Sanders to rescind tax breaks for millionaires.

“While I am disappointed, we are making progress and raising consciousness about the need to change our national priorities,” Sanders said afterward.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 13 – U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.), and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) as well as AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, RFK Center Director Monika Kalra Varma today joined the Coalition of Immokalee Workers at a press conference to support a nationwide petition drive on behalf of Florida farm workers.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, February 28 – More than one in every 100 American adults is in jail or prison, according to new research on the nation’s surging inmate population. The same study also found that Vermont is one of only five states that spends more money on prisons than on higher education.

“Incredibly, with over 2.3 million Americans behind bars, we now have more people in jail than any other country on Earth,” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said. “In my view, these sad facts reflect a very distorted set of national priorities.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, February 7 – The Senate late this afternoon voted 81 to 16 for an economic stimulus package that adds tax rebates for retirees and disabled veterans to a House-passed version of the bill.

“I am glad the stimulus package was substantially improved by adding help for 20 million seniors on Social Security and 250,000 veterans living on disability benefits. Including seniors and veterans will help people truly in need, and it will help the economy overall. It’s the right thing to do,” Senator Bernie Sanders said.    » read more »

02/04/2008 -- Rising fuel prices pushed profits for Exxon Mobil and other petroleum producers to new records. “It is absurd,” Senator Bernie Sanders said, “for oil companies like Exxon Mobil to be raking in obscene profits while millions of Americans are struggling to pay skyrocketing gas and home heating oil prices. We owe it to the American people to do everything we can to stop big oil companies from ripping off American consumers.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, February 4 – Senator Bernie Sanders said today that President Bush’s new budget proposal was “unconscionable” and reflected “grossly distorted” priorities.

While providing hundreds of billions in tax breaks for the richest 1 percent of Americans, Bush proposed major cuts in health care, home heating assistance, weatherization, nutrition and housing programs. He also wants to raise fees on veterans’ health care.    » read more »

02/04/2008 -- President Bush sent a budget proposal to Congress on Monday that Senator Bernie Sanders called “unconscionable.” Among the grossly distorted priorities, Bush would cut $196 billion over five years in Medicare and Medicaid. He also would slash home heating assistance at a time of record-high fuel prices, impose new fees on veterans, and cut weatherization, nutrition and housing programs. For the super rich, however, special tax breaks would be preserved.    » read more »

02/04/2008 -- President Bush’s final budget continues down the same fiscally irresponsible path he started on seven years ago – weakening America's economy by running up massive deficits and making large cuts in America’s priorities. As more Americans feel the effects of the current economic downturn, President Bush’s proposed cuts to home heating assistance, job training and education programs show just how out of touch he is. Democrats will continue to strengthen our economy, by investing in middle class families and responsibly funding America's priorities.    » read more »