{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Independent\", state = \"VT\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-to-demand-votes-on-house-passed-2000-direct-payments-bill-and-mcconnells-bill/", "Sanders to Demand Votes on House-Passed $2,000 Direct Payments Bill and McConnells Bill", "2020-12-31", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 31  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced on Thursday that he will challenge Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring his own legislation to the floor, in addition to the bill passed by the House of Representatives with support from 44 Republicans and 231 Democrats to give working-class Americans $2,000 direct payments, for an up-or-down vote.\nThe working class of America is facing more economic desperation than at anytime since the Great Depression, Sanders said. They need our help and they need it now. I'm offering a compromise path forward to resolve our current impasse and give Americans the vote they deserve on direct payments. Tomorrow, we should vote on the McConnell bill and the House-passed bill. What objection could Leader McConnell have for not voting on his own bill?\nMcConnell's legislation was introduced after the Republican Leader told the Senate that he would prioritize moving a package of President Trump's priorities, including $2,000 direct payments. Packaging a repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and a Congressional inquiry into supposed voter fraud in addition to direct payments, McConnell announced that those are the three important subjects the president has linked together. This week, the Senate will begin a process to bring these three priorities into focus.\nSanders responded: McConnell began the process on Tuesday, and he should finish that work by putting his bill on the floor of the U.S. Senate for consideration before we go home for the New Year.\nSanders will ask for unanimous consent to bring both pieces of legislation up for a vote on Friday afternoon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/vermonts-congressional-delegation-recognizes-vermont-u-s-service-academy-nominees-via-video-livestream-wednesday-december-30/", "Vermonts Congressional Delegation Recognizes Vermont U.S. Service Academy Nominees via Video Livestream  Wednesday, December 30", "2020-12-31", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and U.S. Representative Peter Welch on Wednesday evening recognized 28 young Vermonters who received nominations to the United States Service Academies, Class of 2025. Each year the Vermont delegation hosts a reception at the Vermont State House for the nominees. However, for everyone's safety, this year's ceremony was held virtually.\nThe names of this year's nominees, selected by Leahy, Sanders, and Welch through a competitive vetting process, and forwarded to the Academies for final decisions, are:\nMr. Eusebio Aja IIIof Barre, Vermont (U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Matthew Bayardof Saint Albans, Vermont (U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Allison Bradleyof Woodstock, Vermont(U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Matthew Durginof Cabot, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Fletcher Footeof Newport, Vermont (U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy\nMs. Pauline Garzaof Essex Junction, Vermont (U.S Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Aidan Geboof Vergennes, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Katherine Hawkoof Shelburne, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Charlotte Hillof Williston, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Julia Hortonof Saint Albans, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Ethan Howellof Milton, Vermont(U.S. Air Force Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Patrick Kwassof South Burlington, Vermont(U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy\nMr. Joshua Lajeunesseof Montpelier, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Wylie Lucasof Norwich, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Ethan Melloof West Windsor, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. MacKenzie Millerof Shelburne, Vermont (U.S. Air Force Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Olivia Mooreof Colchester, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Elizabeth Perryof Franklin, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Jackson Porterof Franklin, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMs. Alayna Potterof Colchester, Vermont (U.S. Air Force Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Michael Puchkovof Peru, Vermont (U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Thomas Remillardof Saint Albans, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Ethan Schaalof White River Junction, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Brad Stankiewiczof Milton, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Welch\nMr. Alexander Stefurakof West Rutland, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Peter Warholdof Norwich, Vermont (U.S. Air Force Academy)\nNominated by: Welch\nMr. Aidan Whiteof Middlesex, Vermont (U.S. Military Academy)\nNominated by: Leahy, Sanders, Welch\nMr. Andrew Zuckermanof South Londonderry, Vermont (U.S. Naval Academy)\nNominated by: Sanders, Welch", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-demands-mcconnell-hold-vote-on-2000-direct-payments/", "Sanders Demands McConnell Hold Vote on $2,000 Direct Payments", "2020-12-28", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 28 Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives' overwhelming 275-134 passage of $2,000 direct payments for the working class:\nThe House has passed a $2,000 direct payment for working people. It is time for the Senate to act. This week on the Senate floor Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump's veto of the $740 billion defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year. I'm going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class. Let me be clear: If Senator McConnell doesn't agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year's Eve. Let's do our job.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-calls-on-mitch-mcconnell-to-pass-2000-direct-payments-legislation-in-the-senate/", "Sanders Calls on Mitch McConnell to Pass $2,000 Direct Payments Legislation in the Senate", "2020-12-24", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BURLINGTON, December 23  In response to President Trump's disapproval of the $908-billion COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress on Monday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement:\nIn America today, millions of Americans are facing economic desperation and need help now.I have been calling on Congress for months to pass legislation to provide every working class American with $2,000 a month until the pandemic ends.Now that Senator Schumer, Speaker Pelosi and President Trump have all indicated strong support for a $2,000 direct payment the ball is in Senate Majority Leader McConnell's court. I say to Senator McConnell: Let the Senate vote immediately on a stand-alone bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment for the working class and $4,000 for couples. If no Republican objects to that bill, it could pass by unanimous consent today.\nSanders is the co-author, with Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), of the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act, which would provide $2,000 direct monthly payments to working-class Americans for the duration of the pandemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-leahy-welch-applaud-dam-repair-funding-for-vermont/", "Sanders, Leahy, Welch Applaud Dam-Repair Funding for Vermont", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, Dec. 22  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced that legislation passed by Congress last night will fund critical water infrastructure projects, including three aging flood-control dams.\nThe Vermont delegation also announced that the state of Vermont has signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make much-needed repairs to the Waterbury Dam. The project will begin in early 2021, using $40 million in federal funding secured by the delegation.\nThe America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, to be signed into law today, includes language first authored by Senator Sanders in 2016 in the Water Resources Development Act. This year, the amendment authored by Sanders in the Senate and Welch in the House increases the authorization of federal funding to $60 million each for safety improvements at certain state-owned flood control dams constructed by the federal government before 1940. In Vermont, three dams  the Waterbury, East Barre and Wrightsville dams  are eligible to receive funding under this provision.\nThese dams are essential pieces of Vermont's infrastructure,said Sanders,who is a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over the water infrastructure legislation. Maintaining and repairing the dams  especially the Waterbury Dam  has long been a priority for our state. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward rebuilding aging dams in Vermont and throughout the United States.\nLeahy, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said: I have been proud to secure funding for the Waterbury Dam through the appropriations process, and I'm pleased to see the increased spending authorized by this legislation at the request of Senator Sanders and Congressman Welch.Those funds may be very helpful if the cost exceeds the $40 million already appropriated for work on this critical project, and funds may also be needed for work to the other eligible Vermont dams.\nI was proud to secure federal support to allow the state to begin this important, but expensive, safety and infrastructure project,said Welch, who secured authorization language in the House. With these funds, the state of Vermont will be able to complete these critical repairs with the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This is a perfect example of a local project that deserves federal support to protect public safety, improve environmental quality, and enhance recreational opportunities in the area for years to come.\nThe Waterbury Dam Spillway Refurbishment project is a major public safety and environmental restoration priority for Vermont,said Peter Walke, Commissioner of Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation. We are grateful for the support of Vermont's Congressional Delegation for securing a $40M federal appropriation for the project, and to the US Army Corps of Engineers for supporting this project at the national and local level. My team will be working in tight coordination with the Army Corps to get this project started early in 2021.\nThe federal government built the Waterbury, East Barre and Wrightsville dams in the 1930s after the devastating 1927 flood caused massive destruction and loss of life in the Winooski River basin from Central Vermont to Burlington. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed, and the Civilian Construction Corps built, the three flood-control dams on tributaries of the Winooski River to reduce the risk of future flooding. The federal government later transferred ownership of the dams to the state of Vermont, but did not include any provisions for the maintenance of the dams. The Waterbury Dam, in particular, now has major repair needs, due to this lack of support from the federal government.\nThe Vermont Congressional delegation remains committed to passing aggressive water infrastructure funding next year, including critical provisions to improve drinking water, which was passed this year by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-passage-of-covid-19-relief-package/", "Sanders Statement on Passage of COVID-19 Relief Package", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 21  Upon the Senate's passage of the $908-billion COVID-19 spending package, Sen. Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement:\nTonight, Congress passed a $908-billion COVID-19 relief bill that extends unemployment benefits through the early spring, and provides support for small businesses, schools, healthcare, nutrition, rentalassistance, child care, broadband, the Postal Service, as well as funding to help distribute vaccines.\nDuring the last several weeks, I have been working very hard, along with Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, to provide direct payments to working families throughout the country. Our goal was to replicate what was in the CARES bill of March, which was $1200 for every working-class adult and $500 for each child. While we did not get as much as we wanted, because of opposition from the Republican leadership and too many Democrats, the bill does include a $600 direct payment for every working-class American earning less than $75,000 a year, and a $1,200 direct payment for couples making less than $150,000 a year, plus $600 for each child. That means that the average family of four will receive a direct payment of $2400.\nWhile including these direct payments ultimately improved this bill, given the enormous economic desperation that so many working families across this country are now experiencing, there is no question but that this legislation did not go anywhere near far enough.\nWhen President-Elect Biden assumes office next month and when the Senate comes back into session in January, I will immediately begin fighting for another relief bill to help America's working familiesincluding another round of direct payments and more relief for the unemployed, the hungry, the uninsured and those who owe back rent and are behind on their mortgage payments. In this unprecedented crisis, it is imperative that we do everything we can to protect the working families of our country, the elderly, the children and the poor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-bernie-sanders-receives-covid-19-vaccine-from-u-s-capitol-physician-dr-brian-p-monahan/", "Senator Bernie Sanders Receives COVID-19 Vaccine from U.S. Capitol Physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan", "2020-12-19", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  December 19  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders received the COVID-19 vaccine from U.S. Capitol physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan on Saturday.\nSanders said, Following the advice of the Office of the Attending Physician, today I received the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue wearing masks and engage in social distancing. That is how we will beat this virus and end this terrible pandemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/over-2000-vermonters-join-sanders-for-virtual-seniors-town-hall/", "Over 2,000 Vermonters Join Sanders for Virtual Seniors Town Hall", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BURLINGTON  December 18  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders held a virtual town hall Thursday evening to provide an update from Congress and to hear the thoughts and concerns of older Vermonters.\nOver 2,000 Vermont seniors joined Sanders for the town meeting which was held via phone call and streamed live on Sanders' website. Each December, Sanders hosts holiday meals for seniors throughout the state. However, for everyone's safety, this year's event was held virtually. Sanders participated by video from his Senate office in Washington, D.C. \nOur senior meals and town meetings are always a highlight of the holiday season. While we couldn't be together in person this year, I'm very pleased we had the opportunity to gather virtually, said Sanders. Especially at a time when many seniors are unable to be with friends and family, I thought it was important to continue this annual event and hear from my constituents about the issues that matter most to them, as well as the challenges they are facing.\nAfter Sanders' introductory remarks, Vermonters asked questions on a wide range of issues. Areas of interest ranged from ways to expand and protect Medicare and Social Security, to struggles affording housing, heat, food, and prescription medications. With negotiations continuing in Congress, the COVID-19 relief package was on the minds of many who participated in the town hall. Many asked Sanders about the effort he is leading to ensure that a direct payment provision is included in the final relief bill, as well as his hope that Congress and a Biden Administration will continue to work on and pass additional, much-needed emergency relief in the new year. If approved, these direct payments to Vermonters would add about $350 million to the local economy.\nIt's interesting that all of the questions tonight touched on issues that millions and millions of people are struggling with. Whether it's inadequate Social Security benefits, whether it's the high cost of prescription drugs, whether it's the housing crisis, whether it is student debt. Whether it is the inability of people to afford to keep warm in the winter time, you have asked exactly the questions that are on the minds of people all over this country, said Sanders.\nA few seniors on the call shared their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. One Vermonter expressed concerns about how the current economic crisis will affect their long-term financial stability, as well as their children's, particularly considering they all are struggling with immense student loan debt. Paul from Johnson, VT said, I'm committed to what I do for work, and I'm committed to my kids. Everything that I have surplus for savings, goes to my kids. In today's economy, my oldest is unemployed because of the pandemic. My daughter is barely working. I have a parent plus loan and my kids have student loans. The payments are suspended right now because of the pandemic. I'm just ignoring it right now. I don't need the stress.\nWhile another Vermonter from Williamstown, VT spoke of their difficulty affording basic necessities with their current monthly Social Security and veterans benefits totaling just $1,400, saying I'm going to have to keep us going on a small check each month. It's going to raise just about $12 this year. Where does that come out being fair at all?\nThis is America. People should not be hungry. People should not be homeless. People should not be unable to afford the medicine they need, not be in a position where they can't afford to go to a doctor. This should not be happening, said Sanders. So the struggle that we face now is to change the priorities of this country to invest in ordinary people, so that all of us can live with dignity and enjoy life as we should be able to.\nSanders ended the event by encouraging Vermonters to call his office should they need assistance, and promising to do everything possible in Washington to ensure Vermont seniors get the help they need when the need it. I am very proud to fight in Congress on behalf of older Vermonters said Sanders. I wish everybody a very wonderful holiday season, and I'm sure that the new year is going to be a better one for all of us. I will hopefully be able to get to see you all in person in the not too distant future.\nVermonters in need of assistance can reach Senator Sanders office by phone at 800-339-9834 or online at sanders.senate.gov.\nTo watch the town hall, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-delivers-floor-speech-urging-senate-to-pass-1200-in-direct-relief-to-working-class/", "Sanders Delivers Floor Speech Urging Senate to Pass $1,200 in Direct Relief to Working Class", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 18 Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) went to the Senate floor this afternoon to seek unanimous consent to pass legislation he had introduced earlier today to provide direct payments to working families across the United States.\nSanders' proposal provides a direct payment of $1,200 for every working-class American, $2,400 for couples, and $500 for children. He was joined on the floor by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who spoke in support of the legislation.\nSanders stated, If this country means anything, if the U.S. government means anything, it means that we cannot turn our backs on that suffering, and that we cannot leave Washington for the holidays to go back to our families unless we address the pain and anxiety of other families throughout this country.\nRead the legislation here.\nSanders' speech can be watchedhere, and the prepared remarks can be read below:\n  Mr. President, this country faces the worst set of public health and economic crises that we have faced in over a hundred years.\nAs a result of the pandemic more people are becoming infected than ever before. Hospitalization is higher than ever before. And more people are dying than ever before. We all hope and pray that the new vaccine will be distributed as quickly as possible and that it will put an end to this nightmare. But, today, the truth is that millions of low-income and middle class families are suffering in a way that we have not seen since the Great Depression.\nToday, the reality is that over half of our workers are living paycheck to paycheck  trying to survive on $10 or $12 an hour. The reality is that millions of senior citizens all over this country are trapped in their homes, unable to see their kids or grandchildren, unable to go to a grocery store, and are trying to survive on $12 or $14,000 a year.\nIn addition, millions more with disabilities are also suffering.\nFurther, in America today, one out of four workers are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year. And, in the midst of this pandemic, because we are the only major country on earth not to guarantee healthcare to all, some 92 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured  unable to go to a doctor when they need to.\nIn addition, over 30 million of our people face eviction and the hunger rate in America is the highest it has been in decades.\nMr. President, that is where we are today economically.\nAnd if this country means anything, if the U.S. government means anything, it means that we cannot turn our backs on that suffering, and that we cannot leave Washington for the holidays to go back to our families unless we address the pain and anxiety of other families throughout this country.\nMembers of Congress should also be aware that we are far behind other major countries in terms of protecting working families during this pandemic. Not only, does every other wealthy country guarantee healthcare to all, as a human right, almost all of them are providing far more generous benefits to the unemployed and the struggling in their countries than we are.\nMr. President, several months ago I introduced legislation along with Senator Kamala Harris, now our vice president-elect, and Senator Markey, that, would during the course of this economic crisis, provide $2,000 a month to every working class person in this country. And, frankly, that is exactly what we should be doing.\nBut, unfortunately, given the conservative nature of the Senate, I understand that is not going to happen.\nYes, at a time of massive wealth and income inequality, at a time when huge corporations were making record breaking profits, the Republican leadership in the Senate was able to provide a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the 1% and large corporations.\nYes, at a time when climate change threatens the planet, the Congress was able to provide hundreds of billions in corporate welfare to the fossil fuel industry.\nYes, just the other day, the House and the Senate were able to pass a $740 billion military budget  the largest in history and more than the next ten nations combined.\nBut, in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, Congress is somehow unable to respond effectively to the needs of working families.\nMr. President, as you know, I have recently introduced legislation to provide every working class American an emergency payment of at least $1,200, $2,400 for couples and $500 for their kids.\nThis is not a radical idea. This is an approach that President Trump is supporting. This is an approach that President-elect Biden is supporting. This is an approach that, according to a recent poll, is supported by 75% of all Americans, including 77% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans.\nFurther, importantly, this amount of direct payment is exactly what Congress passed unanimously 9 months ago as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act.\nLet me repeat. In March, every member of the House and Senate, appropriately, voted to provide a direct payment of $1,200 for working-class adults, $2,400 for couples and $500 for their kids.\nMr. President. That was the right thing to do 9 months ago. Given that the crisis, in many ways is worse today, it is exactly what we should be doing right now.\nMr. President, as a result of the pandemic, the government told restaurants, bars, retail stores, movie theaters, schools, malls and small businesses all over this country: Shut your doors. It is too dangerous for you to be open now.\nBut what the government has not done, Mr. President, is to provide the workers who have lost their jobs and lost their incomes with the support they need to pay their bills.\nThe $600 a week in supplemental unemployment benefits that Congress passed unanimously in March expired in July  over 5 months ago.\nAnd during that time  the Republican Senate has done nothing to help working families pay their rent, feed their families, go to a doctor or pay for their life-saving prescription drugs. And, the Senate has not done enough to provide struggling small businesses with the help they desperately need.\nFurther, Mr. President, as bad as the economy has been in general it has been far worse for African Americans and Latinos. During the pandemic, nearly 60% of Latino families and 55% of African American families have either experienced a job loss or a pay cut.\nMr. President, for 9 months, we asked tens of millions of working people in our country to survive on one $1,200 check  with no healthcare, no hazard pay, no rent relief. Nothing.\nMeanwhile, Mr. President, I should mention that over this same 9 month period, 651 billionaires in America became over $1 trillion richer.\n$1 trillion for billionaires. One $1,200 check for the working class. That is unconscionable. That is immoral and that has got to change.\nNow, Mr. President, let us remember that way back in May, the House passed the $3.4 trillion HEROES Act which, among other things, included $600 a week in supplemental unemployment benefits and another direct payment of $1,200 for working class adults, $500 for their kids, and generous support for small businesses, hospitals, state and local governments and schools.\nIn other words, that $3.4 trillion bill was a serious effort to address the real crises facing this country.\nI should also add that in July, the House passed another version of the bill  this one for $2.2 trillion.\nThat same month, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, proposed a $1.1 trillion bill that also provided a $1,200 direct payment for the working class and $500 for their children.\nAnd then, in October, Secretary Mnuchin, in negotiations with Speaker Pelosi, proposed a COVID-relief plan for $1.8 trillion.\nSo, in the last number of months we have had major proposals of $3.4 trillion, $2.2 trillion, $1.8 trillion, and $1.1 trillion.\nAnd yet today, after months of negotiating by the so-called gang of 8, we are now down to just a $908 billion bill that includes $560 billion in offsets in unused money from the CARES Act.\nSo, from an original House bill passed in May calling for $3.4 trillion in new money, we are now down to $348 billion in new money  roughly 10% of what Democrats thought we originally needed.\nMr. President, in my view, the $348 billion in new money is totally inadequate given the nature of the unprecedented crises that we face.\nThe American people cannot wait any longer. They need economic relief now.\nEvery working class American needs $1,200, $2,400 for couples and $500 for kids.\nAnd let me be clear what I am talking about now is money that must not be taken from other important priorities like 16 weeks of supplemental unemployment benefits, aid for small business, nutrition, housing, education and the other important provisions in this bill.\nMr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 5063, which I introduced earlier today that would provide a $1,200 direct payment to every working class adult, $2,400 for couples and $500 for their children, that the bill be considered read three times and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-helps-lead-fight-for-direct-payments/", "Sanders Helps Lead Fight for Direct Payments", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 16  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has been leading the fight in Washington to provide direct benefits to working families as they struggle through the pandemic and economic downturn. Sanders is fighting for $1,200 for every worker earning less than $75,000 a year, and $2,400 a couple earning less than $150,000 a year. Each child would receive a benefit of $500. This is what existed in the CARES Act passed in March.\nCurrently, negotiations have the benefit set at $600 per adult and $600 per child. At this level, approximately 445,000 Vermont adults and 153,000 children  roughly 93 percent of the state's population  would receive these benefits. This amounts to over $345 million in direct benefits going to Vermonters, which will be an important economic stimulus.\nSanders said: At a time when many Vermonters are struggling to put food on the table, pay their rent or mortgage, or have the necessary income to go to the doctor, it is imperative that Congress provide direct payments for working families. I am glad that we are making progress on this issue, but more has to be done, and I will continue that fight.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-on-manchin-romney-deal-congress-cannot-go-home-until-working-class-receives-1200-direct-payments", "Sanders on Manchin-Romney Deal: Congress Cannot Go Home Until Working Class Receives $1,200 Direct Payments", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders on Manchin-Romney Deal: Congress Cannot Go Home Until Working Class Receives $1,200 Direct Payments\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, December 14, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, December 14  Sen. Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement in response to the Manchin-Romney COVID19 legislation to be released this afternoon:\r\nAs a result of the pandemic, tens of millions of Americans are facing economic desperation.They can't afford to pay their rent and face eviction, they can't afford to go to the doctor, they can't afford to feed their children and they are going deeper and deeper into debt.Congress cannot go home for the Christmas holidays until we pass legislation which provides a $1,200 direct payment to working class adults, $2,400 for couples, and a $500 payment to their children. This is what Democrats and Republicans did unanimously in March through the CARES Act.This is what we have to do today.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-on-manchin-romney-deal-congress-cannot-go-home-until-working-class-receives-1200-direct-payments/", "Sanders on Manchin-Romney Deal: Congress Cannot Go Home Until Working Class Receives $1,200 Direct Payments", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 14  Sen. Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement in response to the Manchin-Romney COVID19 legislation to be released this afternoon:\nAs a result of the pandemic, tens of millions of Americans are facing economic desperation.They can't afford to pay their rent and face eviction, they can't afford to go to the doctor, they can't afford to feed their children and they are going deeper and deeper into debt.Congress cannot go home for the Christmas holidays until we pass legislation which provides a $1,200 direct payment to working class adults, $2,400 for couples, and a $500 payment to their children. This is what Democrats and Republicans did unanimously in March through the CARES Act.This is what we have to do today.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/we-must-get-1200-direct-checks-to-the-working-class-of-america", "We Must Get $1,200 Direct Checks To The Working Class Of America", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We Must Get $1,200 Direct Checks To The Working Class Of America \n            Members of Congress cannot go back to our families for the holidays when children in the richest country on Earth are going hungry and millions are scared to death of eviction.\nWe must pass my amendment with Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri to get $1,200 direct checks to the working class ofAmerica.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-demands-direct-payments-for-working-families", "Sanders Demands Direct Payments for Working Families", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Demands Direct Payments for Working Families\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 10, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTONSenator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stated today on the Senate floor that given the enormity of the current economic crisis, the Senate must pass a $1,200 direct payment for working class adults and $500 for their children as part of any COVID-19 relief package. He is filing an amendment today to the one-week Continuing Resolution to do just that.\r\nSanders said that it would be unacceptable for Congress to adjourn for the holidays while turning its back on the economic desperation facing tens of millions of Americans.\r\nIn a speech on the floor today, he stated: When a national emergency occurs the United States government must respond. And we are in an economic emergency today. To get out of Washington, to turn our backs on the suffering of so many of our people would be immoral, would be unconscionable, and cannot be allowed to happen.\r\nSanders' speech can be watched here, and the prepared remarks can be read below: \r\n\"Mr. President: This country today faces an unprecedented crisis both in terms of the pandemic and the economic meltdown. I understand that there are negotiations going on in terms of coming up with an economic package dealing with COVID-19 relief. I applaud the hard work that each of the negotiators are doing. But the truth is that the results up to this point are totally unsatisfactory given the economic desperation facing tens of millions of working families. Back in March, at the beginning of the pandemic, the United States Congress unanimously  Democrats and Republicans  worked with President Trump to come up with an economic package that went a long way toward preventing absolute misery and destitution for so many of our people. Through no fault of their own, COVID-19 resulted in millions of people losing their jobs and their income. And, in response, Democrats and Republicans in the Congress came together, worked with the President of the United States and, in a very significant way, responded to that crisis. Mr. President, what I don't understand is that at a time when, in many ways, the crisis is worse today than it was in March, why we are not responding accordingly. In March, we passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act which included a $600 supplement to unemployment benefits for 4 months, and a $1,200 direct payment for every working class adult plus $500 for their kids. Once again, we did this unanimously and we did it by working with President Trump. If we could do it together in March, if we could succeed 9 months ago by working together, there is no reason why we cannot do the same thing right now. And that is why I will insist that any agreement in terms of a COVID-19 relief package must include not only strong unemployment benefits, but a $1,200 direct payment for the working families of this country similarly structured to what was included in the CARES package of March. And I will be introducing an amendment to the 1-week Continuing Resolution to make sure that that occurs - that every working class adult in this country receives another $1,200 direct payment, plus $500 for their kids. Mr. President, every member of this body wants to get out of Washington to get home to their families for the holiday season. And put me at the top of that list. But at a time when so many American families are suffering, when so many people don't know how they're going to feed their kids or prevent being evicted from their homes, or how they're going to pay for a doctor's visit, we cannot leave Washington and return to our families unless we address the economic suffering that so many other families are facing. When a national emergency occurs the United States government must respond. And we are in an economic emergency today. To get out of Washington, to turn our backs on the suffering of so many of our people would be immoral, would be unconscionable, and cannot be allowed to happen. Again, we must make certain that every working family in this country receives a $1,200 direct payment, plus $500 for their kids. Mr. President, let me be as clear as I can be. Today, as a result of the horrific pandemic and economic meltdown, the American working-class is hurting like they have never hurt before. Yesterday alone, over 220,000 Americans were diagnosed with COVID-19 and, tragically, over 3,000 died from this horrific virus. In other words, more Americans were killed by the coronavirus yesterday than were killed on 9-11. Further, Mr. President, the working class of this country is in the worst financial shape since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Tens of millions of our fellow citizens have lost their jobs. They have lost their incomes. They have lost their health insurance. They have depleted their life savings. They cannot afford to pay the rent. They cannot afford to put food on the table. And they are scared to death that any day now they will get a knock on the door from the sheriff evicting them from their homes and throwing them and their belongings out on the street. In America today, over half our workers are living paycheck to paycheck while 1 out of every 4 workers in this country are either unemployed or make a starvation wage of less than $20,000 a year. During the holiday season over one-third of Americans expect to lose income and are already having a difficult time paying for basic household expenses. In America today, hunger is at its highest level in decades, more than 500,000 Americans are homeless and over 30 million tenants are on the brink of eviction.While 15 million Americans have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, over 90 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured and cannot afford to go to a doctor when they get sick. And as bad as the economy has been in general it has been far worse for African Americans and Latinos. During the pandemic, nearly 60% of Latino families and 55% of African American families have either experienced a job loss or a pay cut. Meanwhile, Mr. President, not everyone is hurting in America. While the middle class is collapsing and poverty is growing, we are witnessing a massive increase in income and wealth inequality. Over the past 9 months, 650 billionaires have seen their wealth go up by over $1 trillion and now own over twice as much wealth as the bottom 50 percent of Americans. That is the state of the economy in America today. The very rich get much, much richer, while tens of millions of Americans get poorer and poorer and face an unprecedented level of economic desperation. Mr. President. This is the United States of America, the richest country in the history of the world. No one should be going hungry. No one should have to live in fear of becoming homeless. No one should be denied the health care that they need, especially during the worst public health crisis in over a hundred years. But that is precisely what is going on all over America as we speak. Mr. President. This is an unprecedented moment in American history and the Senate needs to take unprecedented action now to improve the lives of the American people. If we could act effectively in March through the CARES Act, we can act effectively today as we enter the holiday season. I very much appreciate the hard work that has gone into the current $908 billion proposal being drafted by a number of Democratic and Republican Senators. But, simply stated, given the horrific extent of the current crisis and the desperation that working families all over this country are experiencing, this proposal does not go anywhere near far enough. In truth, rather than the $3.4 trillion which we Democrats called for in the HEROES Act and passed in the House, this bill only allocates $348 billion in new money. The remaining $560 billion are funds transferred from the CARES Act that have not yet been obligated. In other words, this bill is allocating roughly 10% of what was passed in the House. That's absurd. Unlike the CARES Act, which we passed in March, this proposal only provides a $300 supplement for unemployed workers rather than $600 a week. Further, unlike the $1,200 direct payment for every working class individual and $500 for each child, it provides absolutely no direct payment. Moreover, this proposal does nothing to address the health care crisis impacting tens of millions of Americans who cannot afford medical care and has totally inadequate financial assistance for the most vulnerable. The American people need help and they need help now. We have got to make sure that every working class American receives at least $1,200 in direct payments and that we do not provide a liability shield to corporations who break the law. We cannot continue the status quo of coming in at 5:30pm on Monday and leaving at 2pm on Thursday  while nothing gets done to help millions of Americans living in economic desperation. We've got to be working 24 hours, 7 days a week until we pass a bill that provides emergency assistance to the American people in their time of need.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-hawley-introduce-1200-direct-payments-amendment-to-attach-to-end-of-year-legislation", "Sanders, Hawley Introduce $1,200 Direct Payments Amendment to Attach to End-of-Year Legislation", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Hawley Introduce $1,200 Direct Payments Amendment to Attach to End-of-Year Legislation\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, December 10, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, December 10  Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are introducing a bipartisan amendment to attach to must-pass legislation to be considered by Congress, which would provide $1,200 in direct payments to working-class adults and $500 to each of their children.This amendment, similar to what was passed in the CARES Act, would be attached to must-pass legislation to keep the government going.\r\nIn the midst of this terrible pandemic and economic crisis, this amendment would make certain that working families get the urgent, direct support they need to survive, said Sanders. A direct payment of $1,200 for adults and $500 for kids would help desperate families pay rent and heating bills, put food on the table, and be able to go to the doctor.In the midst of so much economic desperation, Congress cannot go on recess without providing this $1,200 emergency assistance to the American people in their time of need.I look forward to working across the aisle with Senator Hawley to ensure that the United States Senate passes this amendment.\r\nIt would be a dereliction of duty if Congress adjourns for Christmas without having a vote on providing working families with direct payments, said Hawley. Working people are struggling. And they should be the first people given relief, not last. The crisis of rising unemployment claims, ever-expanding food lines, evictions, and growing credit card debt has been staring us in the face for months. It's time we do something about it and provide emergency relief to Americans.\r\nThe amendment is modeled on the $1,200 direct payment for working-class adults plus $500 for their children passed by Congress unanimously in the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in March and signed into law by President Trump.\r\n\r\nWatch Sanders' and Hawley's floor remarks on this proposal here.\r\nRead the text of the amendment here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/responding-to-the-needs-of-the-americanpeople", "Responding to the needs of the AmericanPeople", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Responding to the needs of the AmericanPeople \n            Yesterday alone, over 3,000 died from this horrific virus.\nThe working class of this country is in the worst financial shape since the Great Depression of the 1930s.\nThe American people need help and they need help NOW!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-gillibrand-warren-merkley-markey-and-wyden-urge-colleagues-to-defend-working-class-in-covid-19-relief-proposal-2/", "Sanders Demands Direct Payments for Working Families", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 10 Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stated today on the Senate floor that given the enormity of the current economic crisis, the Senate must pass a $1,200 direct payment for working class adults and $500 for their children as part of any COVID-19 relief package. He is filing an amendment today to the one-week Continuing Resolution to do just that.\nSanders said that it would be unacceptable for Congress to adjourn for the holidays while turning its back on the economic desperation facing tens of millions of Americans.\nIn a speech on the floor today, he stated: When a national emergency occurs the United States government must respond. And we are in an economic emergency today. To get out of Washington, to turn our backs on the suffering of so many of our people would be immoral, would be unconscionable, and cannot be allowed to happen.\nSanders' speech can be watchedhere, and the prepared remarks can be read below:\nMr. President: This country today faces an unprecedented crisis both in terms of the pandemic and the economic meltdown.\nI understand that there are negotiations going on in terms of coming up with an economic package dealing with COVID-19 relief. I applaud the hard work that each of the negotiators are doing. But the truth is that the results up to this point are totally unsatisfactory given the economic desperation facing tens of millions of working families.\nBack in March, at the beginning of the pandemic, the United States Congress unanimously  Democrats and Republicans  worked with President Trump to come up with an economic package that went a long way toward preventing absolute misery and destitution for so many of our people. Through no fault of their own, COVID-19 resulted in millions of people losing their jobs and their income. And, in response, Democrats and Republicans in the Congress came together, worked with the President of the United States and, in a very significant way, responded to that crisis.\nMr. President, what I don't understand is that at a time when, in many ways, the crisis is worse today than it was in March, why we are not responding accordingly. In March, we passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act which included a $600 supplement to unemployment benefits for 4 months, and a $1,200 direct payment for every working class adult plus $500 for their kids.\nOnce again, we did this unanimously and we did it by working with President Trump.\nIf we could do it together in March, if we could succeed 9 months ago by working together, there is no reason why we cannot do the same thing right now. And that is why I will insist that any agreement in terms of a COVID-19 relief package must include not only strong unemployment benefits, but a $1,200 direct payment for the working families of this country similarly structured to what was included in the CARES package of March.\nAnd I will be introducing an amendment to the 1-week Continuing Resolution to make sure that that occurs  that every working class adult in this country receives another $1,200 direct payment, plus $500 for their kids.\nMr. President, every member of this body wants to get out of Washington to get home to their families for the holiday season. And put me at the top of that list.\nBut at a time when so many American families are suffering, when so many people don't know how they're going to feed their kids or prevent being evicted from their homes, or how they're going to pay for a doctor's visit, we cannot leave Washington and return to our families unless we address the economic suffering that so many other families are facing.\nWhen a national emergency occurs the United States government must respond. And we are in an economic emergency today. To get out of Washington, to turn our backs on the suffering of so many of our people would be immoral, would be unconscionable, and cannot be allowed to happen.\nAgain, we must make certain that every working family in this country receives a $1,200 direct payment, plus $500 for their kids.\nMr. President, let me be as clear as I can be. Today, as a result of the horrific pandemic and economic meltdown, the American working-class is hurting like they have never hurt before.\nYesterday alone, over 220,000 Americans were diagnosed with COVID-19 and, tragically, over 3,000 died from this horrific virus.\nIn other words, more Americans were killed by the coronavirus yesterday than were killed on 9-11.\nFurther, Mr. President, the working class of this country is in the worst financial shape since the Great Depression of the 1930s.\nTens of millions of our fellow citizens have lost their jobs. They have lost their incomes. They have lost their health insurance. They have depleted their life savings. They cannot afford to pay the rent. They cannot afford to put food on the table. And they are scared to death that any day now they will get a knock on the door from the sheriff evicting them from their homes and throwing them and their belongings out on the street.\nIn America today, over half our workers are living paycheck to paycheck while 1 out of every 4 workers in this country are either unemployed or make a starvation wage of less than $20,000 a year.\nDuring the holiday season over one-third of Americans expect to lose income and are already having a difficult time paying for basic household expenses.\nIn America today, hunger is at its highest level in decades, more than 500,000 Americans are homeless and over 30 million tenants are on the brink of eviction.While 15 million Americans have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, over 90 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured and cannot afford to go to a doctor when they get sick.\nAnd as bad as the economy has been in general it has been far worse for African Americans and Latinos. During the pandemic, nearly 60% of Latino families and 55% of African American families have either experienced a job loss or a pay cut.\nMeanwhile, Mr. President, not everyone is hurting in America. While the middle class is collapsing and poverty is growing, we are witnessing a massive increase in income and wealth inequality. Over the past 9 months, 650 billionaires have seen their wealth go up by over $1 trillion and now own over twice as much wealth as the bottom 50 percent of Americans.\nThat is the state of the economy in America today. The very rich get much, much richer, while tens of millions of Americans get poorer and poorer and face an unprecedented level of economic desperation.\nMr. President. This is the United States of America, the richest country in the history of the world. No one should be going hungry. No one should have to live in fear of becoming homeless. No one should be denied the health care that they need, especially during the worst public health crisis in over a hundred years.\nBut that is precisely what is going on all over America as we speak.\nMr. President. This is an unprecedented moment in American history and the Senate needs to take unprecedented action now to improve the lives of the American people. If we could act effectively in March through the CARES Act, we can act effectively today as we enter the holiday season.\nI very much appreciate the hard work that has gone into the current $908 billion proposal being drafted by a number of Democratic and Republican Senators. But, simply stated, given the horrific extent of the current crisis and the desperation that working families all over this country are experiencing, this proposal does not go anywhere near far enough. In truth, rather than the $3.4 trillion which we Democrats called for in the HEROES Act and passed in the House, this bill only allocates $348 billion in new money. The remaining $560 billion are funds transferred from the CARES Act that have not yet been obligated.\nIn other words, this bill is allocating roughly 10% of what was passed in the House. That's absurd.\nUnlike the CARES Act, which we passed in March, this proposal only provides a $300 supplement for unemployed workers rather than $600 a week. Further, unlike the $1,200 direct payment for every working class individual and $500 for each child, it provides absolutely no direct payment.\nMoreover, this proposal does nothing to address the health care crisis impacting tens of millions of Americans who cannot afford medical care and has totally inadequate financial assistance for the most vulnerable.\nThe American people need help and they need help now.\nWe have got to make sure that every working class American receives at least $1,200 in direct payments and that we do not provide a liability shield to corporations who break the law.\nWe cannot continue the status quo of coming in at 5:30pm on Monday and leaving at 2pm on Thursday  while nothing gets done to help millions of Americans living in economic desperation.\nWe've got to be working 24 hours, 7 days a week until we pass a bill that provides emergency assistance to the American people in their time of need.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-hawley-introduce-1200-direct-payments-amendment-to-attach-to-end-of-year-legislation/", "Sanders, Hawley Introduce $1,200 Direct Payments Amendment to Attach to End-of-Year Legislation", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 10  Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) are introducing a bipartisan amendment to attach to must-pass legislation to be considered by Congress, which would provide $1,200 in direct payments to working-class adults and $500 to each of their children.This amendment, similar to what was passed in the CARES Act, would be attached to must-pass legislation to keep the government going.\nIn the midst of this terrible pandemic and economic crisis, this amendment would make certain that working families get the urgent, direct support they need to survive,said Sanders.A direct payment of $1,200 for adults and $500 for kids would help desperate families pay rent and heating bills, put food on the table, and be able to go to the doctor.In the midst of so much economic desperation, Congress cannot go on recess without providing this $1,200 emergency assistance to the American people in their time of need.I look forward to working across the aisle with Senator Hawley to ensure that the United States Senate passes this amendment.\nIt would be a dereliction of duty if Congress adjourns for Christmas without having a vote on providing working families with direct payments,said Hawley.Working people are struggling. And they should be the first people given relief, not last. The crisis of rising unemployment claims, ever-expanding food lines, evictions, and growing credit card debt has been staring us in the face for months. It's time we do something about it and provide emergency relief to Americans.\nThe amendment is modeled on the $1,200 direct payment for working-class adults plus $500 for their children passed by Congress unanimously in the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in March and signed into law by President Trump.\nWatch Sanders' and Hawley's floor remarks on this proposalhere.\nRead the text of the amendmenthere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-gillibrand-warren-merkley-markey-and-wyden-urge-colleagues-to-defend-working-class-in-covid-19-relief-proposal", "Sanders, Gillibrand, Warren, Merkley, Markey and Wyden Urge Colleagues to Defend Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Gillibrand, Warren, Merkley, Markey and Wyden Urge Colleagues to Defend Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, December 8, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, December 8  Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.),Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.),Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)urged Senate Democrats today to recognize the enormity of the economic and public-health crisis posed by COVID-19 and join them in demanding that any new COVID-19 relief proposal includes a $1,200 direct payment to adults and $500 to their children, while rejecting provisions to give a liability shield to corporations who threaten the health and safety of workers and customers.\r\nIn aletterto their colleagues, the Senators note that COVID-19 is infecting nearly 200,000 Americans and killing 2,000 Americans daily, and argue that a bipartisan proposal under negotiation does not go anywhere near far enough, as America experiences the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Only $348 billion in new money is currently allocated in that proposal, the Senators point out, even though the Trump Administration and a bipartisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-19 relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment.\r\nIt would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money, the Senators wrote to their Democratic colleagues.\r\nThe lawmakers further expressed their opposition to a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk currently under consideration in a bipartisan COVID-19 relief measure, and cited concerns from labor groups that granting immunity would make the country less safe at the exact moment when the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a new, dangerous phase.\r\nThe letter's signatories also registered their agreement with President-elect Biden that a $1,200 direct payment should be included in this proposal, as over half of American workers live paycheck to paycheck and one in four are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year, while millions more face eviction and hunger. Read the letterhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-gillibrand-warren-merkley-markey-and-wyden-urge-colleagues-to-defend-working-class-in-covid-19-relief-proposal/", "Sanders, Gillibrand, Warren, Merkley, Markey and Wyden Urge Colleagues to Defend Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, December 8  Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.),Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.),Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)urged Senate Democrats today to recognize the enormity of the economic and public-health crisis posed by COVID-19 and join them in demanding that any new COVID-19 relief proposal includes a $1,200 direct payment to adults and $500 to their children, while rejecting provisions to give a liability shield to corporations who threaten the health and safety of workers and customers.\nIn a letter to their colleagues, the Senators note that COVID-19 is infecting nearly 200,000 Americans and killing 2,000 Americans daily, and argue that a bipartisan proposal under negotiation does not go anywhere near far enough, as America experiences the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Only $348 billion in new money is currently allocated in that proposal, the Senators point out, even though the Trump Administration and a bipartisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-19 relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment.\nIt would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money, the Senators wrote to their Democratic colleagues.\nThe lawmakers further expressed their opposition to a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk currently under consideration in a bipartisan COVID-19 relief measure, and cited concerns from labor groups that granting immunity would make the country less safe at the exact moment when the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a new, dangerous phase. The letter's signatories also registered their agreement with President-elect Biden that a $1,200 direct payment should be included in this proposal, as over half of American workers live paycheck to paycheck and one in four are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year, while millions more face eviction and hunger.\nRead the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-manchin-romney-covid19-proposal", "Sanders Statement on Manchin-Romney COVID19 Proposal", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Manchin-Romney COVID19 Proposal\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, December 4, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, December 4  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on the Manchin-Romney COVID19 legislative proposal: Given the enormous economic desperation facing working families in this country today, I will not be able to support the recently announced Manchin-Romney COVID proposal unless it is significantly improved. Unfortunately, despite long-time Democratic opposition, this proposal provides 100% legal immunity to corporations whose irresponsibility has led to the deaths of hundreds of workers. It would continue to provide a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk. In fact, the Manchin-Romney proposal will, through this liability provision, encourage corporations to avoid implementing the common sense safety standards needed to protect workers and consumers - and make a bad situation worse. Further, during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, when over half of our workers are living paycheck to paycheck, when one out of four workers are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year, when 92 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured, when tens of millions of people face eviction and when hunger in America is exploding, it is unacceptable that the Manchin-Romney proposal does not even do what the CARES Act did and provide, at the very least, a $1,200 direct payment to working class Americans and $500 for their kids. Tens of millions of Americans living in desperation today would receive absolutely no financial help from this proposal. That is not acceptable. Last March, with unanimous support in Congress, President Trump signed the $2 trillion CARES Act into law that provided a $600 a week supplement in unemployment benefits and a $1,200 direct payment to every working class adult, $500 per child and significant help for small businesses, states and cities. In October, as part of the negotiating process, the Trump Administration and a bi-partisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment.  Today, however, at a time when the COVID crisis is the worst that it has ever been in the U.S. with record-breaking levels of hospitalization and death, the Manchin-Romney proposal not only provides no direct payments to working families, it does nothing to address the healthcare crisis and has totally inadequate financial assistance for the most vulnerable. That is wrong morally and it is wrong economically if we hope to rebuild the economy. The American people need help and they need help now. In my view, we have got to make sure that every working class American receives at least $1,200 in direct payments and that we do not provide a liability shield to corporations who break the law. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to significantly improve this bill.But, in its current form, I cannot support it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-manchin-romney-covid19-proposal/", "Sanders Statement on Manchin-Romney COVID19 Proposal", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BURLINGTON, December 4  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on the Manchin-Romney COVID19 legislative proposal:\nGiven the enormous economic desperation facing working families in this country today, I will not be able to support the recently announced Manchin-Romney COVID proposal unless it is significantly improved.\nUnfortunately, despite long-time Democratic opposition, this proposal provides 100% legal immunity to corporations whose irresponsibility has led to the deaths of hundreds of workers. It would continue to provide a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk. In fact, the Manchin-Romney proposal will, through this liability provision, encourage corporations to avoid implementing the common sense safety standards needed to protect workers and consumers  and make a bad situation worse.\nFurther, during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, when over half of our workers are living paycheck to paycheck, when one out of four workers are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year, when 92 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured, when tens of millions of people face eviction and when hunger in America is exploding, it is unacceptable that the Manchin-Romney proposal does not even do what the CARES Act did and provide, at the very least, a $1,200 direct payment to working class Americans and $500 for their kids. Tens of millions of Americans living in desperation today would receive absolutely no financial help from this proposal. That is not acceptable.\nLast March, with unanimous support in Congress, President Trump signed the $2 trillion CARES Act into law that provided a $600 a week supplement in unemployment benefits and a $1,200 direct payment to every working class adult, $500 per child and significant help for small businesses, states and cities. In October, as part of the negotiating process, the Trump Administration and a bi-partisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment. \nToday, however, at a time when the COVID crisis is the worst that it has ever been in the U.S. with record-breaking levels of hospitalization and death, the Manchin-Romney proposal not only provides no direct payments to working families, it does nothing to address the healthcare crisis and has totally inadequate financial assistance for the most vulnerable. That is wrong morally and it is wrong economically if we hope to rebuild the economy.\nThe American people need help and they need help now. In my view, we have got to make sure that every working class American receives at least $1,200 in direct payments and that we do not provide a liability shield to corporations who break the law.\nI look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to significantly improve this bill.But, in its current form, I cannot support it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/vermont-students-share-what-you-think-our-national-priorities-should-be", "Vermont Students: Share What You Think Our National Priorities Should Be", "2020-11-25", "2020", "2020-11", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vermont Students: Share What You Think Our National Priorities Should Be \n            The deadline for my annual State of the Union Essay contest is approaching. This contest is a great opportunity for high school students to be actively engaged in our democratic process and think about solutions to the major problems facing our country. If you're a Vermont High school student, join us for the 11th year of the contest and submit your essay by January 12th.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-announces-eleventh-annual-state-of-the-union-essay-contest", "Sanders Announces Eleventh Annual State of the Union Essay Contest", "2020-11-24", "2020", "2020-11", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Announces Eleventh Annual State of the Union Essay Contest\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, November 24, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, November 24  Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has launched his eleventh annual State of the Union essay contest.\r\nEach January, the President of the United States delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, which outlines priorities for the coming year. Because Senator Sanders knows that great ideas can come from everyone  not just those in power  and wants to encourage young people to become engaged in the political process, he created the State of the Union Essay Contest. The contest is an opportunity for Vermont high school students to describe a major issue facing our country and propose what they would do to solve it.\r\nThe 250-500 word essays can be on any issue of national importance. A volunteer panel of Vermont teachers will judge the essays on the students' ability to articulate an issue and propose a solution, without regard to the students' political views. Senator Sanders will enter the essays of the ten finalists into the Congressional Record  the official archive of the U.S. Congress.\r\nI started this essay contest 11 years ago to help our students be actively engaged, no matter where they stand on the issues, said Sanders, who serves on the Senate education committee. This year, our state and nation face a health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a renewed fight for racial justice. Many of you have seen family members struggle because of lost wages or health concerns, you have been asked to learn online, and you face a future that may feel uncertain. To my mind, the unprecedented nature of this time makes it more important than ever to hear perspectives and innovative ideas from you, our young people.\r\nMore than 4,600 students from high schools throughout Vermont have written essays in the past ten years about critically important issues, including climate change, access to mental health care, the rising cost of college, and much, much more. Last year, Isabelle Hiller from Woodstock Union High School was selected as the winner from 536 submissions for her essay on criminal justice reform.\r\nThe deadline for student essay submissions is Jan. 12, 2021. More information can be found on Sanders' Senate webpage at https://www.sanders.senate.gov/stateoftheunion or by calling (800) 339-9834.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/taxpayers-subsidize-poverty-wages-at-walmart-mcdonalds-other-large-corporations-gao-finds", "Taxpayers Subsidize Poverty Wages at Walmart, McDonalds, Other Large Corporations, GAO Finds", "2020-11-18", "2020", "2020-11", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Taxpayers Subsidize Poverty Wages at Walmart, McDonald's, Other Large Corporations, GAO Finds\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, November 18, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, November 18  Many full-time workers employed by some of America's largest and most profitable corporations receive wages so low that they qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps) benefits and Medicaid, according to a report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).\r\nThe report,Millions of Full-time Workers Rely on Federal Health Care and Food Assistance Programs,commissioned by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), found that 5.7 million Medicaid enrollees and 4.7 million SNAP recipients who worked full-time for 50 or more weeks in 2018 earned wages so low that they qualified for these federal benefits. An estimated 12 million wage-earning adults enrolled in Medicaid and 9 million wage-earning adults living in households receiving SNAP benefits worked at some point in 2018.\r\nAt a time when huge corporations like Walmart and McDonald's are making billions in profits and giving their CEOs tens of millions of dollars a year, they're relying on corporate welfare from the federal government by paying their workers starvation wages. That is morally obscene.U.S. taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize some of the largest and most profitable corporations in America.It is time for the owners of Walmart, McDonald's and other large corporations to get off of welfare and pay their workers a living wage,said Sanders.No one in this country should live in poverty. No one should go hungry. No one should be unable to get the medical care they need. It is long past time to increase the federal minimum wage from a starvation wage of $7.25 an hour to $15, and guarantee health care to all Americans as a human right.\r\nGAO sent questionnaires to state Medicaid and SNAP agencies and analyzed data from 15 such agencies across 11 states. Each agency reported the 25 most common employers of Medicaid enrollees and SNAP recipients. Among the 15 agencies, Walmart was in the top four employers of program beneficiaries in each and every one. McDonald's was a top-five employer of employees receiving federal benefits in 13 of the 15 agencies. GAO's analysis across the states it examined reveals that multi-billion-dollar firms employed tens of thousands of workers at wages so low, taxpayers effectively provided nutrition support and health insurance that would be unnecessary if they paid living wages.\r\nNotoriously low-paying and dangerous dollar-store chains also appeared throughout these lists, with Dollar Tree ranking among the top 15 largest employers of employees receiving benefits in all 15 agencies, and Dollar General among the top 10 in nine different agencies.\r\nAcross nine statesArkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington  these large corporations employed the following numbers of SNAP recipients in February 2020: Walmart  14,541  McDonald's  8,783  Dollar Tree  4,515  Dollar General  4,488  Amazon  4,218  Burger King  3,326  FedEx  2,622  Wendy's  2,237  Subway  2,231  Taco Bell  2,114  Uber  2,032  Target  1,783  Dunkin' Donuts  1,564  Home Depot  1,305  Lowe's  1,154  Family Dollar  570  CVS  545  Walgreens  355 Across six statesGeorgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Rhode Islandthe following large corporations employed these approximate numbers of Medicaid enrollees in February 2020: Walmart  10,350  McDonald's  4,600  Amazon  4,154  Dollar Tree  2,964  Target  2,754  Dollar General  2,625  Home Depot  2,237  CVS  1,939  Burger King  1,679  Dunkin' Donuts  1,278  Wendy's  1,059  FedEx  1,046  Walgreens  1,009  Subway  973  Taco Bell  868  Lowe's  611  Uber  591 To read the full report, clickhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/taxpayers-subsidize-poverty-wages-at-walmart-mcdonalds-other-large-corporations-gao-finds/", "Taxpayers Subsidize Poverty Wages at Walmart, McDonalds, Other Large Corporations, GAO Finds", "2020-11-18", "2020", "2020-11", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, November 18  Many full-time workers employed by some of America's largest and most profitable corporations receive wages so low that they qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps) benefits and Medicaid, according to a report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).\nThe report,Millions of Full-time Workers Rely on Federal Health Care and Food Assistance Programs,commissioned by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), found that 5.7 million Medicaid enrollees and 4.7 million SNAP recipients who worked full-time for 50 or more weeks in 2018 earned wages so low that they qualified for these federal benefits. An estimated 12 million wage-earning adults enrolled in Medicaid and 9 million wage-earning adults living in households receiving SNAP benefits worked at some point in 2018.\nAt a time when huge corporations like Walmart and McDonald's are making billions in profits and giving their CEOs tens of millions of dollars a year, they're relying on corporate welfare from the federal government by paying their workers starvation wages. That is morally obscene.U.S. taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize some of the largest and most profitable corporations in America.It is time for the owners of Walmart, McDonald's and other large corporations to get off of welfare and pay their workers a living wage,said Sanders.No one in this country should live in poverty. No one should go hungry. No one should be unable to get the medical care they need. It is long past time to increase the federal minimum wage from a starvation wage of $7.25 an hour to $15, and guarantee health care to all Americans as a human right.\nGAO sent questionnaires to state Medicaid and SNAP agencies and analyzed data from 15 such agencies across 11 states. Each agency reported the 25 most common employers of Medicaid enrollees and SNAP recipients. Among the 15 agencies, Walmart was in the top four employers of program beneficiaries in each and every one. McDonald's was a top-five employer of employees receiving federal benefits in 13 of the 15 agencies. GAO's analysis across the states it examined reveals that multi-billion-dollar firms employed tens of thousands of workers at wages so low, taxpayers effectively provided nutrition support and health insurance that would be unnecessary if they paid living wages.\nNotoriously low-paying and dangerous dollar-store chains also appeared throughout these lists, with Dollar Tree ranking among the top 15 largest employers of employees receiving benefits in all 15 agencies, and Dollar General among the top 10 in nine different agencies.\nAcross nine statesArkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington  these large corporations employed the following numbers of SNAP recipients in February 2020:\nWalmart  14,541  McDonald's  8,783  Dollar Tree  4,515  Dollar General  4,488  Amazon  4,218  Burger King  3,326  FedEx  2,622  Wendy's  2,237  Subway  2,231  Taco Bell  2,114  Uber  2,032  Target  1,783  Dunkin' Donuts  1,564  Home Depot  1,305  Lowe's  1,154  Family Dollar  570  CVS  545  Walgreens  355\nAcross six statesGeorgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Rhode Islandthe following large corporations employed these approximate numbers of Medicaid enrollees in February 2020:\nWalmart  10,350  McDonald's  4,600  Amazon  4,154  Dollar Tree  2,964  Target  2,754  Dollar General  2,625  Home Depot  2,237  CVS  1,939  Burger King  1,679  Dunkin' Donuts  1,278  Wendy's  1,059  FedEx  1,046  Walgreens  1,009  Subway  973  Taco Bell  868  Lowe's  611  Uber  591\nTo read the full report, clickhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/fafsa-helping-students-afford-college-2020-11-06", "FAFSA: Helping Students Afford College", "2020-11-06", "2020", "2020-11", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FAFSA: Helping Students Afford College \n            Are you looking to pursue further education after high school, but are worried about the cost? If you are considering college, technical, or vocational education, you can now fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA), to help you secure federal, state, and college-specific financial assistance. Now, more than ever, we must keep fighting to make College for All a reality. But until then, students and families deserve to know what resources are available to help pay for continued education. If you have questions, or need help filling out the FAFSA, contact the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation at www.vsac.org or 800-642-3177.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/healthcare-must-no-longer-be-a-privilege", "Healthcare Must No Longer Be A Privilege", "2020-10-30", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Healthcare Must No Longer Be A Privilege \n            While 12 million Americans recently lost their health insurance, the private health insurance companies are making record profits during this horrific pandemic.\nHealthcare must no longer be a privilege or an employee benefit in America. It must be a human right. #MedicareForAll", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-klobuchar-issue-statement-correcting-misinformation-from-president-trump-and-justice-kavanaugh-on-voting-processes", "Sanders, Klobuchar Issue Statement Correcting Misinformation from President Trump and Justice Kavanaugh on Voting Processes", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Klobuchar Issue Statement Correcting Misinformation from President Trump and Justice Kavanaugh on Voting Processes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, October 28, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, October 28- U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) released the statement below following President Trump's recent false statement that it is inappropriate and illegal to count ballots after Election Day, and the Supreme Court's ruling inDemocratic National Committee v. Wisconsin Legislature,where Justice Kavanaugh's concurring opinion contains incorrect information regarding voting:\r\n\"In America, we count the votes to determine who wins an election. Despite the incorrect assertions from President Trump and Justice Kavanaugh, election officials across the country accept ballots well after Election Day every year, and results are not certified until the votes are counted and a canvas to confirm the results is conducted.Absentee ballots counted after election day do not flip the results of an election,' as Justice Kavanaugh claimed. They are the results of the election.\r\nMore than twenty states, including states like Mississippi, Kansas, and Utah, require ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they are received after Election Day. This is critical to ensuring that those who may face hardships in voting, including members of our military serving abroad and those affected by COVID-19, are not disenfranchised by things like mail delays. These are not new rules and they do not serve any political party. It is on all of us to reject misinformation and to tell the truth. Our election systems span 50 states, five territories, and thousands of jurisdictions. State and local election officials are working around the clock, and experts have concluded that the integrity of our election system is strong. The best defense against those trying to undermine our democracy is the resolve of the American people, who are voting by the millions as we speak. Keep voting.\r\nOn October 18, Sanders and Klobuchar, along with Senators Schumer (D-N.Y.), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Murphy (D-Conn.), and Duckworth (D-Ill.), issued a report titled2020 General Election: Counting Votes & What to Expect on Election Day, which offers a guide to voting procedures in key states.\r\nThe report can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-and-klobuchar-explain-to-trump-in-america-we-count-the-votes-to-determine-who-wins", "Sanders and Klobuchar Explain to Trump: 'In America, We Count the Votes to Determine Who Wins'", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders and Klobuchar Explain to Trump: 'In America, We Count the Votes to Determine Who Wins'\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, October 28, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\r\n\r\nSens. Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobucharreleaseda joint statement Wednesday in response to two recent developments that have amplified fears about next week's general election: President Donald Trump's falsesuggestionthat counting votes after Election Day is unlawful and an ominous concurringopinionfrom U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.\r\nTrump, who has repeatedlyrefusedto commit to a peaceful transition of power if he loses reelection,saidTuesday that \"it would be very, very proper and very nice if a winner were declared on November 3rd, instead of counting ballots for two weeks, which is totally inappropriate and I don't believe that that's by our laws. I don't believe that. So we'll see what happens.\"\r\nThose widely rebuked remarks came a day after Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee,issuedan opinion parroting the president's lies about mail-in voting fraud. In a 5-3 decision along ideological lines, the high court rejected an attempt by Wisconsin Democrats and rights groups to extend the state's deadline for receiving mailed ballots that are postmarked by Election Day.\r\n\"In America, we count the votes to determine who wins an election,\" declared Sanders (I-Vt.) and Klobuchar (D-Minn.), both ex-Democratic presidential primary candidates who have since endorsed the party's nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden.\r\n\"Despite the incorrect assertions from President Trump and Justice Kavanaugh, election officials across the country accept ballots well after Election Day every year, and results are not certified until the votes are counted and a canvas to confirm the results is conducted,\" the senators said. \"Absentee ballots counted after Election Day do not 'flip the results of an election,' as Justice Kavanaugh claimed. They are the results of the election.\"\r\n\"More than 20 states, including states like Mississippi, Kansas, and Utah, require ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they are received after Election Day,\" the pair pointed out. \"This is critical to ensuring that those who may face hardships in voting, including members of our military serving abroad and those affected by Covid-19, are not disenfranchised by things like mail delays.\"\r\nNoting that \"these are not new rules and they do not serve any political party,\" the lawmakers said, \"It is on all of us to reject misinformation and to tell the truth.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n\"Our election systems span 50 states, five territories, and thousands of jurisdictions,\" they added. \"State and local election officials are working around the clock, and experts have concluded that the integrity of our election system is strong. The best defense against those trying to undermine our democracy is the resolve of the American people, who are voting by the millions as we speak. Keep voting.\"\r\nThat message to vote was a crucial piece of areport(pdf) published last week by Sanders, Klobuchar, and handful of other senators that set out to not only reinforce Democrats' call to encourage Americans to vote but also summarize what they should expect on Election Day. The report's main messages are:\r\n \r\nVote, and vote early.\r\nIn some states, we may not know the winner on election night. That's OK.\r\nVoter intimidation is illegal.\r\n \r\nSens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)the chamber's minority leaderjoined Sanders and Klobuchar in releasing the report, which also features a section on election procedures in presidential and Senate battleground states.\r\n\"The American people must be prepared for an election that is unprecedented in our history due to the enormous increase in mail-in ballots that have been, and will be, cast as a result of the pandemic,\" Sanderssaidin a statement last week. \"No one should have to risk their health or their lives in order to vote, and that is why many millions are voting through mail-in ballots.\"\r\n\"One of the worst lies that Donald Trump is spreading is that there is a massive amount of voter fraud in this country,\" he added. \"That is a total lie which no election official, Republican or Democrat, can support. What we are doing with this effort is ensuring that the American people understand that if American democracy means anything, it means that every vote must be countedno matter how long it takes.\"\r\nAs of Wednesday, an estimated 75 million Americans had already voted,according toMichael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida who runs the U.S. Elections Project. The number of ballots cast early by mail or in person this year so farexceeds50% of the number of votes cast in 2016 presidential election.\r\nMeanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic rages on. The United States alone had nearly 8.85 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and over 227,600 related deaths as of Wednesday evening,according toJohns Hopkins University's global tracker.\r\nDespite the public health crisis, \"we're looking at a very high-turnout election,\" McDonaldtoldPBS NewsHourTuesday. \"Perhaps 150 million people or so will vote, and that could be the highest turnout that we will see in a modern election since 1908, so truly remarkable numbers in terms of the people voting.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-klobuchar-issue-statement-correcting-misinformation-from-president-trump-and-justice-kavanaugh-on-voting-processes/", "Sanders, Klobuchar Issue Statement Correcting Misinformation from President Trump and Justice Kavanaugh on Voting Processes", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, October 28 U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) released the statement below following President Trump's recent false statement that it is inappropriate and illegal to count ballots after Election Day, and the Supreme Court's ruling inDemocratic National Committee v. Wisconsin Legislature,where Justice Kavanaugh's concurring opinion contains incorrect information regarding voting:\nIn America, we count the votes to determine who wins an election. Despite the incorrect assertions from President Trump and Justice Kavanaugh, election officials across the country accept ballots well after Election Day every year, and results are not certified until the votes are counted and a canvas to confirm the results is conducted.Absentee ballots counted after election day do not flip the results of an election,' as Justice Kavanaugh claimed. They are the results of the election.\nMore than twenty states, including states like Mississippi, Kansas, and Utah, require ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they are received after Election Day. This is critical to ensuring that those who may face hardships in voting, including members of our military serving abroad and those affected by COVID-19, are not disenfranchised by things like mail delays. These are not new rules and they do not serve any political party. It is on all of us to reject misinformation and to tell the truth. Our election systems span 50 states, five territories, and thousands of jurisdictions. State and local election officials are working around the clock, and experts have concluded that the integrity of our election system is strong. The best defense against those trying to undermine our democracy is the resolve of the American people, who are voting by the millions as we speak. Keep voting.\nOn October 18, Sanders and Klobuchar, along with Senators Schumer (D-N.Y.), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Murphy (D-Conn.), and Duckworth (D-Ill.), issued a report titled2020 General Election: Counting Votes & What to Expect on Election Day, which offers a guide to voting procedures in key states.\nThe report can be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-condemns-senate-confirmation-of-judge-barrett-to-supreme-court", "Sanders Condemns Senate Confirmation of Judge Barrett to Supreme Court", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Condemns Senate Confirmation of Judge Barrett to Supreme Court\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, October 26, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, October 26 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement criticizing the Republican-controlled Senate's confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court:\r\nTonight's vote to confirm Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court justice is a disgrace, not only because of what she will do when she gets on the bench, but because of the entire process, which was pushed through with extraordinary hypocrisy by Senate Republicans in the last days of a president's term.\r\nAt this particular moment, over 50 million people have already cast their ballots to determine who the next President of the United States should be. Now is not the time to be voting on a Supreme Court justice. What we should be voting on instead is a major Covid-19 stimulus package to protect the working people of this country, who, by the tens of millions, have lost their jobs. They're struggling right now to pay their rent, get health insurance, and put food on the table to feed their kids.\r\nThat is the issue we should be dealing with right now, and I am committed to ensuring that the next U.S. Senate, under Democratic leadership, will make a major Covid-19 stimulus bill the first order ofpriority.\r\nWatch Sanders' remarks on his vote against Barrett's confirmation here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/https//vtdiggerorg/2020/10/26/leahy-sanders-say-theyll-vote-against-barrett-nomination-to-supreme-court/", "Leahy, Sanders vote against Barrett nomination to Supreme Court", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/we-should-not-be-voting-on-a-supreme-court-justice", "We Should Not Be Voting On A Supreme Court Justice", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We Should Not Be Voting On A Supreme Court Justice \n            I am going down to the Senate floor to vote AGAINST the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.\nWe should not be voting on a Supreme Court justicewe should be voting on major COVID19 relief to protect working families.\nWe will make this the top priority of a Democratic Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-condemns-senate-confirmation-of-judge-barrett-to-supreme-court/", "Sanders Condemns Senate Confirmation of Judge Barrett to Supreme Court", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, October 26 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement criticizing the Republican-controlled Senate's confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court:\nTonight's vote to confirm Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court justice is a disgrace, not only because of what she will do when she gets on the bench, but because of the entire process, which was pushed through with extraordinary hypocrisy by Senate Republicans in the last days of a president's term.\nAt this particular moment, over 50 million people have already cast their ballots to determine who the next President of the United States should be. Now is not the time to be voting on a Supreme Court justice. What we should be voting on instead is a major Covid-19 stimulus package to protect the working people of this country, who, by the tens of millions, have lost their jobs. They're struggling right now to pay their rent, get health insurance, and put food on the table to feed their kids.\nThat is the issue we should be dealing with right now, and I am committed to ensuring that the next U.S. Senate, under Democratic leadership, will make a major Covid-19 stimulus bill the first order ofpriority.\nWatch Sanders' remarks on his vote against Barrett's confirmationhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/the-most-essential-people-in-our-economy-are-not-hedge-fund-managers", "The Most Essential People In Our Economy Are Not Hedge Fund Managers", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Most Essential People In Our Economy Are Not Hedge Fund Managers \n            Maybejust maybethe most essential people in our economy are not hedge fund managers.\nIf our farmworkers fall ill, we go hungry. We must put an end to their exploitation and provide free health care, paid sick leave, and good wagesregardless of immigration status.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/sanders-democrats-will-pass-massive-stimulus-bill-if-party-flips-the-senate", "Sanders: Democrats will pass 'massive stimulus bill' if party flips the Senate", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: Democrats will pass 'massive stimulus bill' if party flips the Senate\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, October 22, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tSen.Bernie Sanders(I-Vt.) pledged Thursday that Democrats will pass ahuge coronavirus relief package ifthey win the Senate in next month's elections.\r\nIf the Democrats gain control of the Senate, the first order of business will be a massive stimulus bill to protect desperate working people throughout this country, Sanders said on Hill.TV's Rising.\r\nThe remarks come as SpeakerNancy Pelosi(D-Calif.) and Treasury SecretarySteven Mnuchinpress on in their negotiationson COVID-19 aid. Pelosi has stuck to her position that a stimulus package must total at least $2.2 trillion, while theadministration has inched up to $1.8 trillion.\r\nBoth sides have said progress has been made in the past week, though no final legislation has materialized.\r\nPresident Trumphas urged the two sides to go big, but disagreements have emerged over aid to state and local governments, which the president calls a slush fund to bail out what he says are poorly run Democratic localities.\r\nAnd Republicans in the Senate have expressed pessimism that they can get enough votes to pass abill that goes beyond $500 billion due to concerns in the conference over the ballooning national debt.\r\nSanders said Senate Republicans' hesitation to go for anything larger than $500 billion is pathetic but that he too has concerns over a potential bill, saying a deal must include a boost to unemployment benefits and another round of stimulus checks.\r\nIt's not just a number, 1.8 or 2.2 or whatever it is, it is what is in the bill. I am concerned about a slush fund that the Trump administration would have within that bill. I am very concerned that when we have millions of people who have lost their jobs, they desperately need that $600 supplement to their unemployment, they need that $1,200 check, they need health care, they need to be able to pay their rent, he said. So the devil is in the details in terms of what is in the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/sanders-progressives-will-work-to-rally-the-american-people-if-biden-wins", "Sanders: Progressives will work to 'rally the American people' if Biden wins", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: Progressives will work to 'rally the American people' if Biden wins\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, October 22, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tSen.Bernie Sanders(I-Vt.)predicted that progressives would look to move Democratic presidential nomineeJoe Bidentoward theirpriorities if he wins the White House this November and Democrats sweep Congress.\r\nIf you want a progressive agenda to come out of the United States Congress, we're going to have to rally the American people by the tens of millions to demand that we have a government that represents all of us and not just wealthy campaign contributors. We're going to have to correct and deal with a very corrupt election system where massive voter suppression that exists every single day right now, he said on Hill.TV's Rising Thursday.\r\nSanders said Democrats should tackle legislation he plans to introduce to begin the process of moving toward Medicare for All, raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, and a massive infrastructure plan.\r\nWe have got to lay out an agenda that speaks to the struggles and the desperation of working-class Americans, he said.\r\nSanders recognized that Biden, a well-known centrist steeped in old traditions of bipartisanship in Congress, does not share many of his progressive policies but argued his plans would still move the country forward.\r\n[I]f you look at Biden's economic proposals, they're not Bernie Sanders's proposals. Don't want to suggest they are. But they will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, equal pay for equal work, making it easier for workers to join unions, $2 trillion investment in combatting climate change and creating millions of good paying jobs in energy efficiency and sustainable energy, paid family and medical leave. No small things, he said.\r\nSanders and other progressives have been on a campaign to persuade liberals who may be skeptical of Biden's centrist brand of politics to back the former vice president, with the Vermont lawmaker maintaining that the first step to moving the country in a more progressive direction is defeatingPresident Trumpthis November.\r\nYou know what, if Trump is reelected, all that we're going to be on for the next four years is defensive, defensive, defensive procedures. I want to get on the offensive, he said. And that is why, in my view, every progressive, every person in this country who thinks for two minutes about what's at stake, should be voting for Joe Biden.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-democrats-will-pass-massive-stimulus-bill-if-party-flips-the-senate", "Sanders: Democrats will pass 'massive stimulus bill' if party flips the Senate", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: Democrats will pass 'massive stimulus bill' if party flips the Senate\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, October 22, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\r\n\r\nSen.Bernie Sanders(I-Vt.) pledged Thursday that Democrats will pass ahuge coronavirus relief package ifthey win the Senate in next month's elections.\r\nIf the Democrats gain control of the Senate, the first order of business will be a massive stimulus bill to protect desperate working people throughout this country, Sanders said on Hill.TV's Rising.\r\nThe remarks come as SpeakerNancy Pelosi(D-Calif.) and Treasury SecretarySteven Mnuchinpress on in their negotiationson COVID-19 aid. Pelosi has stuck to her position that a stimulus package must total at least $2.2 trillion, while theadministration has inched up to $1.8 trillion.\r\nBoth sides have said progress has been made in the past week, though no final legislation has materialized.\r\nPresident Trumphas urged the two sides to go big, but disagreements have emerged over aid to state and local governments, which the president calls a slush fund to bail out what he says are poorly run Democratic localities.\r\nAnd Republicans in the Senate have expressed pessimism that they can get enough votes to pass abill that goes beyond $500 billion due to concerns in the conference over the ballooning national debt.\r\nSanders said Senate Republicans' hesitation to go for anything larger than $500 billion is pathetic but that he too has concerns over a potential bill, saying a deal must include a boost to unemployment benefits and another round of stimulus checks.\r\nIt's not just a number, 1.8 or 2.2 or whatever it is, it is what is in the bill. I am concerned about a slush fund that the Trump administration would have within that bill. I am very concerned that when we have millions of people who have lost their jobs, they desperately need that $600 supplement to their unemployment, they need that $1,200 check, they need health care, they need to be able to pay their rent, he said. So the devil is in the details in terms of what is in the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/bernie-sanders-applauds-people-of-bolivia-for-year-long-fight-to-restore-democracy-in-wake-of-military-coup", "Bernie Sanders Applauds People of Bolivia for 'Year-Long Fight to Restore Democracy' in Wake of Military Coup", "2020-10-20", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bernie Sanders Applauds People of Bolivia for 'Year-Long Fight to Restore Democracy' in Wake of Military Coup\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, October 20, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tFollowing socialist candidate Luis Arce's resounding victory in Bolivia's high-stakes and closely watched presidential election, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday applauded the people of the South American nation for persisting in their \"difficult, year-long fight to restore democracy\" in the wake of last year's military coup that ousted Evo Morales and installed a vicious right-wing regime.\r\n\"The Bolivian people made their voices heard in yesterday's election,\" tweeted Sanders, who wasamong the firstmembers of Congress to condemn the military coup, which wasopenly applaudedby President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers and abetted by the U.S.-dominated Organization of American States (OAS).\r\n\"As minister of economy, Mr. Arce helped slash poverty and inequality,\" the Vermont senator added, referring to Arce's role in Morales' government. \"I congratulate him on his victory and wish him well.\"\r\nExit polls released Monday showed Arce with such a large lead in the contest that Carlos Mesa, Arce's closest competitor, was forced to concede defeat.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"The results from the quick count are overwhelming and very clear,\"saidMesa, who served as president of Bolivia from 2003 to 2005. \"It's a result that we accept and it's a result that we believe, because of the difference between the first and second [finishers], will not be modified when we know the final results.\"\r\nU.S. Rep. Jess \"Chuy\" Garca (D-Ill.)joinedSanders on Monday in celebrating \"the triumph of true democracy\" in Bolivia and demanded \"justice for those persecuted and killed under the ez regime,\" whichseized powerfollowing the ouster of Morales and promptly unleashedviolent military repressionagainst anti-coup demonstrators.\r\nAsThe Intercept's Glenn GreenwaldwroteMonday afternoon, \"It looks as though the margin of victory delivered to [the Movement Toward Socialism party] by the Bolivian people was so stunning, so decisive, that there are few options left for the retrograde forcesin Bolivia, Washington, and Brusselswhich tried to destroy the country's democracy.\"\r\n\"Anyone who believes in the fundamentals of democracy, regardless of ideology, should be cheering the Bolivians who sacrificed so much to restore their right of self-rule and hoping that the stability and prosperity they enjoyed under Morales expands even further under his first democratically elected successor,\" Greenwald added.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-senate-democrats-to-american-people-do-not-allow-trump-to-undermine-nov-3-election-results", "Sanders, Senate Democrats To American People: Do Not Allow Trump To Undermine Nov. 3 Election Results", "2020-10-19", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Senate Democrats To American People: Do Not Allow Trump To Undermine Nov. 3 Election Results\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, October 19, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, October 18 Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) today released a report summarizing for the American people what to expect on Election Day and reinforcing the Democrats' call to encourage everyone to vote. \r\nThe report follows the months-long effort by President Trump to undermine the election and his repeated refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. With the general election already well underway in every state across the country, Sanders and Senate Democrats have a clear message for the American people: Vote and cast your ballot as early as possible. While expressing optimism that Election Day will go smoothly around the country, the jointly authored report outlines the possibility that in some states, the outcome might not be known on November 3. The last message from the report is to make absolutely clear that voter intimidation is illegal and that federal law prohibits coercing or threatening anyone in order to interfere with their right to vote. \r\n\"The American people must be prepared for an election that is unprecedented in our history due to the enormous increase in mail-in ballots that have been, and will be, cast as a result of the pandemic, said Senator Sanders.No one should have to risk their health or their lives in order to vote, and that is why many millions are voting through mail-in ballots. One of the worst lies that Donald Trump is spreading is that there is a massive amount of voter fraud in this country.That is a total lie which no election official, Republican or Democrat, can support.What we are doing with this effort is ensuring that the American people understand that if American democracy means anything, it means that every vote must be countedno matter how long it takes.\" \r\n\"President Trump has for months now been laying the foundation to undermine the election and he has repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses. Senate Democrats want to be clear to the American people that the most powerful defense against this type of autocratic behavior in our country is the will of the American people and that is why we are encouraging every American to vote and vote early, said Leader Schumer. \r\nThe election is well underway, and Americans are voting in droves because they know what is at stake. We must do everything we can to protect the right to vote, and uphold the integrity of the election process. That means pushing back on President Trump's lies about mail-in ballots and his efforts to sow chaos. It also means making sure that Americans know that a record number of people are voting by mail this year, which could slow the reporting in some states. We should be prepared to reject misinformation and be patient about results in places where counting ballots may take longer. Americans should keep making their voices heard at the ballot box, the earlier the better, said Senator Klobuchar. \r\n\"Despite what Donald Trump wants you to believe, the integrity of our election system is strong,\"said Senator Murphy. Every American must voteand vote earlyin the upcoming presidential election, so we can make it clear to Trump and the world that America remains a democracy, the will of the people will always win out, and that any form of voter intimidation is illegal and will not be tolerated.\" \"President Trump's dangerous rhetoric threatens to further divide our country and sow real potential for violence. The most important thing each of us can do to combat disinformation and fear is to vote and vote early. There is little doubt that this is the most important election we will participate in in our lives. Our elections are the foundation of American democracy. Protecting them should be the top priority for everyone who cares about the future of our country. Election officials, courts, and elected leaders must be accountable for upholding that principle, said Senator Heinrich. \r\n\"Despite Donald Trump's lies and misinformation about nonexistent widespread voter fraud, the integrity of the American election systemour entire election process from voting by mail to voting in personis strong.If voting by mail is safe and effective for our troops overseas and good enough for Trump and his family to use, then it's safe, effective and good enough for the rest of America too,\"said Senator Duckworth. No matter what Trump saysor even what he might preferSenate Democrats will never allow the greatest democracy the world has ever known to descend into authoritarianism.We will always be a government of, by and for the people.\" \r\nA copy of the report can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/leahy-and-sanders-seek-swift-release-of-liheap-heating-help", "Leahy and Sanders Seek Swift Release of LIHEAP Heating help", "2020-10-19", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Leahy and Sanders Seek Swift Release of LIHEAP Heating help\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, October 19, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\r\n\r\nWith winter around the corner and heating costs projected to increase this season, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 senators in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level possible under the current continuing resolution.\r\nThe senators say federal LIHEAP funding is a crucial lifeline that assists low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes pay their energy bills and stay safe during the winter. Under a continuing Appropriations Committee resolution, HHS typically releases 90 percent of the $3.7 billion full-year appropriation.\r\nLeahy said: With the pandemic continuing to depress family incomes nationwide, and an early fall here in Vermont, it's vital that HHS act swiftly to release LIHEAP dollars to the states. As vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee I've fought year after year to support strong funding for LIHEAP because I know Vermonters rely on this help to keep warm. Any delay in sending these dollars to Vermont will result in Vermont families delaying filling their fuel tanks as nights get colder. I understand the urgency, and I hope the Administration does as well.\r\nSanders said: As a result of this horrific health and economic crisis, Vermonters are hurting like they have never hurt before. It is critical that we get this home heating lifeline to Vermonters immediately. In the richest country on Earth, we have a moral responsibility to make sure that no one has to make the unacceptable choice between putting food on the table, paying for their prescription drugs, or heating their homes this winter.\r\nOn the Appropriations Committee Leahy has long been an advocate for the LIHEAP program and has secured funding increases for the program over the past three years. The current appropriations law included $3.7 billion for LIHEAP, and an additional $900 million was included in the CARES Act. The continuing resolution, which funds the government at the previous year's levels, preserves the increase that Leahy secured for the program in 2020.\r\nThe average cost of home heating is unaffordable for millions of low-income households, costing an average of $911 per year nationally. Heating oil and propane cost even more, over $1,500 every year. The timely release of these funds will provide critical assistance to families unemployed as a result of the pandemic pay their energy bills.According to the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, 15 to 20 percent of residential customers are at least 60 days behind on their electric and natural gas bills, and estimated arrearages are over $20 billion nationally.\r\nLIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills by providing payment and/or energy crisis assistance. Vermont's LIHEAP funds are administered by the Department for Children and Families, and accessed through local Community Action Agencies.\r\nTo apply for LIHEAP help, Vermonters can apply at theVermont Department for Children and Families websiteto get more information and links to an online application. Or Vermonters can contact their localCommunity Action Agency. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size and the availability of resources.\r\nThe bipartisan letter was led by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-senate-democrats-to-american-people-do-not-allow-trump-to-undermine-nov-3-election-results/", "Sanders, Senate Democrats To American People: Do Not Allow Trump To Undermine Nov. 3 Election Results", "2020-10-19", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, October 18 Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) today released areportsummarizing for the American people what to expect on Election Day and reinforcing the Democrats' call to encourage everyone to vote.\nThe report follows the months-long effort by President Trump to undermine the election and his repeated refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. With the general election already well underway in every state across the country, Sanders and Senate Democrats have a clear message for the American people: Vote and cast your ballot as early as possible. While expressing optimism that Election Day will go smoothly around the country, the jointly authored report outlines the possibility that in some states, the outcome might not be known on November 3. The last message from the report is to make absolutely clear that voter intimidation is illegal and that federal law prohibits coercing or threatening anyone in order to interfere with their right to vote.\nThe American people must be prepared for an election that is unprecedented in our history due to the enormous increase in mail-in ballots that have been, and will be, cast as a result of the pandemic,said Senator Sanders.No one should have to risk their health or their lives in order to vote, and that is why many millions are voting through mail-in ballots. One of the worst lies that Donald Trump is spreading is that there is a massive amount of voter fraud in this country.That is a total lie which no election official, Republican or Democrat, can support.What we are doing with this effort is ensuring that the American people understand that if American democracy means anything, it means that every vote must be countedno matter how long it takes.\nPresident Trump has for months now been laying the foundation to undermine the election and he has repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses. Senate Democrats want to be clear to the American people that the most powerful defense against this type of autocratic behavior in our country is the will of the American people and that is why we are encouraging every American to vote and vote early,said Leader Schumer.\nThe election is well underway, and Americans are voting in droves because they know what is at stake. We must do everything we can to protect the right to vote, and uphold the integrity of the election process. That means pushing back on President Trump's lies about mail-in ballots and his efforts to sow chaos. It also means making sure that Americans know that a record number of people are voting by mail this year, which could slow the reporting in some states. We should be prepared to reject misinformation and be patient about results in places where counting ballots may take longer. Americans should keep making their voices heard at the ballot box, the earlier the better,said Senator Klobuchar.\nDespite what Donald Trump wants you to believe, the integrity of our election system is strong,said Senator Murphy.Every American must voteand vote earlyin the upcoming presidential election, so we can make it clear to Trump and the world that America remains a democracy, the will of the people will always win out, and that any form of voter intimidation is illegal and will not be tolerated.\nPresident Trump's dangerous rhetoric threatens to further divide our country and sow real potential for violence. The most important thing each of us can do to combat disinformation and fear is to vote and vote early. There is little doubt that this is the most important election we will participate in in our lives. Our elections are the foundation of American democracy. Protecting them should be the top priority for everyone who cares about the future of our country. Election officials, courts, and elected leaders must be accountable for upholding that principle,said Senator Heinrich.\nDespite Donald Trump's lies and misinformation about nonexistent widespread voter fraud, the integrity of the American election systemour entire election process from voting by mail to voting in personis strong.If voting by mail is safe and effective for our troops overseas and good enough for Trump and his family to use, then it's safe, effective and good enough for the rest of America too,said Senator Duckworth.No matter what Trump saysor even what he might preferSenate Democrats will never allow the greatest democracy the world has ever known to descend into authoritarianism.We will always be a government of, by and for the people.\nA copy of the report can be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-demand-answers-from-amazon-over-employee-surveillance-allegations", "Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren demand answers from Amazon over employee surveillance allegations", "2020-10-16", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren demand answers from Amazon over employee surveillance allegations\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, October 16, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t By: Catherine Thorbecke, ABC News \r\n\r\nA coalition of Democratic senators sent a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, pressing the company for answers over allegations that it \"unethically\" tracks and monitors its employees to suppress efforts to form a union.\r\nSenators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) implored Bezos to explain recent reports that the company was investing heavily in technology to track union organization efforts, specifically citing arecent article published by Vox News.\r\n\"The fact that Amazon has decided to heavily invest in systems to retaliate against freedom of expression about unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, and to refer to organizing and workers' rights mobilization efforts as threats against the company equal to those posed by hate groups and terrorism, is unacceptable,\" the senators wrote. \"Labor organizing campaigns are legally protected activity.\"\r\nCiting media reports, the senators accused Amazon of infiltrating private social media groups created by Amazon employees to track potential discussions of unionization, actively monitoring internal listservs related to employee activism, hiring intelligence analysts to track labor organization efforts and more.\r\n\"Each of these reports is deeply troubling, and taken together, they suggest a pattern of significant abuse of workers and their rights,\" the lawmakers wrote to theworld's richest man.\r\nThey added that \"these actions are all the more shocking in the context that nearly 20,000 of your employees contracted the coronavirus,\" saying it is \"deeply concerning that Amazon has prioritized tracking workers who would look to improve their working conditions over addressing the underlying health and safety concerns that those workers face.\"\r\nThe senators demanded that Amazon respond to more than a dozen questions by Nov. 1.\r\nAn Amazon spokesperson told ABC News that it respects employees' rights \"to join, form or not to join a labor union or other lawful organization of their own selection, without fear of retaliation, intimidation or harassment.\"\r\n\"Across Amazon, including in our operations facilities, we place enormous value on having daily conversations with each associate and work to make sure direct engagement with our employees is a strong part of our work culture,\" the spokesperson added.\r\nIn regard to the monitoring allegations, the spokesperson said the company had found one group within its driver team \"aggregating information from closed groups\" but added \"that approach doesn't meet our standards, and they are no longer doing this as we have other ways for drivers to give us their feedback.\"\r\nThe spokesperson added that \"nothing is more important than the health and safety of our teams,\" saying Amazon has committed more than $1 billion in safety measures for its workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/vermont-delegation-demands-postmaster-general-deliver-and-install-critical-mail-processing-machine-to-white-river-junction-facility", "Vermont Delegation Demands Postmaster General Deliver and Install Critical Mail Processing Machine to White River Junction Facility", "2020-10-13", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vermont Delegation Demands Postmaster General Deliver and Install Critical Mail Processing Machine to White River Junction Facility\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, October 13, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Senator Patrick Leahy (D), and Representative Peter Welch (D) on Tuesday sent aletterto Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding the immediate delivery and installation of the new AFCS 200 cancellation machine at the White River Junction mail processing facility, a machine that is critical to the efficient handling of the mail. In the letter, Leahy, Sanders, and Welch wrote, While we have been promised for months that a new AFCS 200 cancellation machine will be installed, we have just learned that this will not occur until January of 2021 at the earliest. This timing is both unacceptable and another example of this administration's attempt to sabotage the Postal Service and the 2020 election.\" The cancellation machines at the White River Junction facility have been due to be replaced for several years now. USPS recently removed an AFCS (legacy system) cancellation machine from the facility, leaving the White River Junction center with justoneoperational cancellation machine. When that machine breaks down, as it did this past weekend, postal employees are forced to process mail by hand, which significantly delays the process. These employees are to be commended for their hard work and dedication and should be given every available resource to ensure the safe and timely processing of the mail, which includes a record number of mail-in ballots. Waiting until 2021 to get this new machine to Vermont will present undue harm to the hundreds of thousands of Vermonters who have been given the ability to vote by mail by November 3rd as well as Vermont's seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on the Postal Service for the delivery of their prescriptions, concluded the Vermont delegation. It will also further harm all those who will be separated from their families this holiday season if they are unable to rely on promise of the U.S. Postal Service to receive mail from loved ones  a small but critically important way to reduce isolation, depression, and loneliness, particularly for older, more isolated Vermonters.\"\r\nYou can read the letterhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/no-confirmation-until-after-inauguration", "No Confirmation Until After Inauguration", "2020-10-13", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "No Confirmation Until After Inauguration \n            The last thing the Senate should be doing right now is considering an extreme right-wing Supreme Court nominee who would strip health care benefits from over 20 million Americans and take away protections for preexisting conditions. No confirmation until after inauguration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/vermont-delegation-demands-postmaster-general-deliver-and-install-critical-mail-processing-machine-to-white-river-junction-facility/", "Vermont Delegation Demands Postmaster General Deliver and Install Critical Mail Processing Machine to White River Junction Facility", "2020-10-13", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Senator Patrick Leahy (D), and Representative Peter Welch (D) on Tuesday sent aletterto Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding the immediate delivery and installation of the new AFCS 200 cancellation machine at the White River Junction mail processing facility, a machine that is critical to the efficient handling of the mail.\nIn the letter, Leahy, Sanders, and Welch wrote, While we have been promised for months that a new AFCS 200 cancellation machine will be installed, we have just learned that this will not occur until January of 2021 at the earliest. This timing is both unacceptable and another example of this administration's attempt to sabotage the Postal Service and the 2020 election.\nThe cancellation machines at the White River Junction facility have been due to be replaced for several years now. USPS recently removed an AFCS (legacy system) cancellation machine from the facility, leaving the White River Junction center with justoneoperational cancellation machine. When that machine breaks down, as it did this past weekend, postal employees are forced to process mail by hand, which significantly delays the process. These employees are to be commended for their hard work and dedication and should be given every available resource to ensure the safe and timely processing of the mail, which includes a record number of mail-in ballots.\nWaiting until 2021 to get this new machine to Vermont will present undue harm to the hundreds of thousands of Vermonters who have been given the ability to vote by mail by November 3rd as well as Vermont's seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on the Postal Service for the delivery of their prescriptions, concluded the Vermont delegation. It will also further harm all those who will be separated from their families this holiday season if they are unable to rely on promise of the U.S. Postal Service to receive mail from loved ones  a small but critically important way to reduce isolation, depression, and loneliness, particularly for older, more isolated Vermonters.\nYou can read the letterhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/donald-trump-is-either-a-tax-cheat-or-a-bad-businessmanlikely-both", "Donald Trump Is Either A Tax Cheat Or A Bad BusinessmanLikely Both", "2020-10-10", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Donald Trump Is Either A Tax Cheat Or A Bad BusinessmanLikely Both \n            Let's be clear: Donald Trump is either a tax cheat who pays less in income taxes than the average worker, or a bad businessman who has lost money year after yearlikely both.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/vermont-seniors-can-now-get-food-assistance-more-easily-thanks-to-the-new-3squaresvt-in-a-snap-program", "Vermont Seniors Can Now Get Food Assistance More Easily, Thanks to the New 3SquaresVT IN A SNAP Program", "2020-10-02", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vermont Seniors Can Now Get Food Assistance More Easily, Thanks to the New 3SquaresVT IN A SNAP Program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, October 2, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, October 2 Beginning October 1st, 2020, Vermont seniors applying for 3SquaresVT are able to use a simple application and benefit renewal process as part of the new 3SquaresVT IN A SNAP program. The easy to use application is available to individuals and households age 60 or older and persons with disabilities.    3SquaresVT IN A SNAP is an improvement to the State's food assistance program,saysKaty Davis, Community Health Initiatives Director at Hunger Free Vermont. Traditional applications can be lengthy to complete, and the benefit renewal process often burdensome, leaving many Vermonters' benefits to lapse. The new program will streamline applications and allow recipients to retain benefits for up to three years without additional paperwork.     For too long, a complex application process has prevented older Vermonters from receiving benefits. With hunger on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress made important changes to the SNAP program, known locally as 3SquaresVT , that make it much easier for older Vermonters to access nutritious foods. In contrast to critical emergency food distribution efforts and invaluable contributions by the charitable food system, SNAP is one of the best, most sustainable food supports Vermonters can feel confident about.    In the richest country in the history of the world, no one should ever have to worry about going to bed hungry. Period. But as so many people are struggling right now to put food on the table, I strongly urge older Vermonters to see if you qualify for 3SquaresVT,saidSenator Bernie Sanders, a long-time champion of nutrition assistance programs. We are dealing with the worst health crisis and economic crisis in our lifetimes. Today, as 29 million Americans are struggling with hunger and millions of seniors are trying to get by on fixed incomes, I want every Vermonter to know that I am continuing to fight to expand critically important anti-hunger programs, like Meals on Wheels, school nutrition, and SNAP,Sanders continued.    In addition to alleviating hunger, 3SquaresVT also plays a vital role in stimulating the local economy, generating income for grocery stores and farmers, and supporting many front-line workers through our food network.During the 2009 Recession, for every $1 increase in 3SquaresVT benefits, an estimated $1.70 was generated in economic activity*. The program is federally funded, and individual benefits do not impact benefits for others or diminish support for state-level initiatives such as education, housing, or health care. (*Moody's Analytics, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)    To learn more about programs that can help you access food, simply call:    Helpline (Age 60+): 1-800-642-5119  All others (under 60): Dial 2-1-1    Vermonters who are having trouble with a federal program or agency can call the Office of Senator Sanders for assistance at 802-862-0697 or toll-free in state at 800-339-9834\r\nContact: Katy Davis, Community Health Initiatives Director  Organization: Hunger Free Vermont, Chittenden County Hunger Council  Phone: 802.231.1086  Email: kdavis@hungerfreevt.org  Website: www.hungerfreevt.org", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-vermont-seniors-can-now-get-food-assistance-more-easily", "Sanders: Vermont seniors can now get food assistance more easily", "2020-10-02", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders: Vermont seniors can now get food assistance more easily\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, October 2, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\r\n\r\nBeginning October 1, 2020, Vermont seniors applying for 3SquaresVT are able to use a simple application and benefit renewal process as part of the new 3SquaresVT IN A SNAP program. The easy to use application is available to individuals and households age 60 or older and persons with disabilities.\r\n3SquaresVT IN A SNAP is an improvement to the State's food assistance program, says Katy Davis, Community Health Initiatives Director at Hunger Free Vermont. Traditional applications can be lengthy to complete, and the benefit renewal process often burdensome, leaving many Vermonters' benefits to lapse. The new program will streamline applications and allow recipients to retain benefits for up to three years without additional paperwork. \r\nFor too long, a complex application process has prevented older Vermonters from receiving benefits. With hunger on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress made important changes to the SNAP program, known locally as 3SquaresVT , that make it much easier for older Vermonters to access nutritious foods. In contrast to critical emergency food distribution efforts and invaluable contributions by the charitable food system, SNAP is one of the best, most sustainable food supports Vermonters can feel confident about.\r\nIn the richest country in the history of the world, no one should ever have to worry about going to bed hungry. Period. But as so many people are struggling right now to put food on the table, I strongly urge older Vermonters to see if you qualify for 3SquaresVT, said Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time champion of nutrition assistance programs. We are dealing with the worst health crisis and economic crisis in our lifetimes. Today, as 29 million Americans are struggling with hunger and millions of seniors are trying to get by on fixed incomes, I want every Vermonter to know that I am continuing to fight to expand critically important anti-hunger programs, like Meals on Wheels, school nutrition, and SNAP, Sanders continued.\r\nIn addition to alleviating hunger, 3SquaresVT also plays a vital role in stimulating the local economy, generating income for grocery stores and farmers, and supporting many front-line workers through our food network.During the 2009 Recession, for every $1 increase in 3SquaresVT benefits, an estimated $1.70 was generated in economic activity*. The program is federally funded, and individual benefits do not impact benefits for others or diminish support for state-level initiatives such as education, housing, or health care. (*Moody's Analytics, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/vermont-seniors-can-now-get-food-assistance-more-easily-thanks-to-the-new-3squaresvt-in-a-snap-program/", "Vermont Seniors Can Now Get Food Assistance More Easily, Thanks to the New 3SquaresVT IN A SNAP Program", "2020-10-02", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BURLINGTON, October 2 Beginning October 1st, 2020, Vermont seniors applying for 3SquaresVT are able to use a simple application and benefit renewal process as part of the new 3SquaresVT IN A SNAP program. The easy to use application is available to individuals and households age 60 or older and persons with disabilities.    3SquaresVT IN A SNAP is an improvement to the State's food assistance program,saysKaty Davis, Community Health Initiatives Director at Hunger Free Vermont. Traditional applications can be lengthy to complete, and the benefit renewal process often burdensome, leaving many Vermonters' benefits to lapse. The new program will streamline applications and allow recipients to retain benefits for up to three years without additional paperwork.     For too long, a complex application process has prevented older Vermonters from receiving benefits. With hunger on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress made important changes to the SNAP program, known locally as 3SquaresVT , that make it much easier for older Vermonters to access nutritious foods. In contrast to critical emergency food distribution efforts and invaluable contributions by the charitable food system, SNAP is one of the best, most sustainable food supports Vermonters can feel confident about.    In the richest country in the history of the world, no one should ever have to worry about going to bed hungry. Period. But as so many people are struggling right now to put food on the table, I strongly urge older Vermonters to see if you qualify for 3SquaresVT,saidSenator Bernie Sanders, a long-time champion of nutrition assistance programs. We are dealing with the worst health crisis and economic crisis in our lifetimes. Today, as 29 million Americans are struggling with hunger and millions of seniors are trying to get by on fixed incomes, I want every Vermonter to know that I am continuing to fight to expand critically important anti-hunger programs, like Meals on Wheels, school nutrition, and SNAP,Sanders continued.    In addition to alleviating hunger, 3SquaresVT also plays a vital role in stimulating the local economy, generating income for grocery stores and farmers, and supporting many front-line workers through our food network.During the 2009 Recession, for every $1 increase in 3SquaresVT benefits, an estimated $1.70 was generated in economic activity*. The program is federally funded, and individual benefits do not impact benefits for others or diminish support for state-level initiatives such as education, housing, or health care. (*Moody's Analytics, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)    To learn more about programs that can help you access food, simply call:    Helpline (Age 60+): 1-800-642-5119  All others (under 60): Dial 2-1-1    Vermonters who are having trouble with a federal program or agency can call the Office of Senator Sanders for assistance at 802-862-0697 or toll-free in state at 800-339-9834\nContact: Katy Davis, Community Health Initiatives Director  Organization: Hunger Free Vermont, Chittenden County Hunger Council  Phone: 802.231.1086  Email: kdavis@hungerfreevt.org  Website: www.hungerfreevt.org", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/are-you-ready-for-a-radical-idea", "Are You Ready For A Radical Idea?", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Are You Ready For A Radical Idea? \n            Are you ready for a radical idea? Billionaires in the United States should not be paying less in taxes than nurses, teachers, firefighters and truck drivers.\nIt's time to tax the $845 billion in wealth gains 643 billionaires made during the pandemic and expand Medicare to all.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-scotus-nomination", "Sanders Statement on Supreme Court Nomination", "2020-09-26", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Supreme Court Nomination\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tSaturday, September 26, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, September 26  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court:\r\n\"President Trump and Senate Republicans have badly mismanaged a deadly pandemic for months. Now, in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis, they are willing to ram through a Supreme Court nomineewithin dayswho will vote to destroy the Affordable Care Act, kick millions of Americans off their health care, and eliminate protections for millions more who have preexisting conditions. This is an absolute outrage.\r\n\"The American people will not stand for this cynical effort to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, just days before an election, with someone who will roll back basic protections for women, workers, voters, people of color, the LGBT community, and our environment. I strongly oppose this nomination and we must fight as hard as we can to ensure that this nominee is not confirmed.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-supreme-court-nomination", "Sanders Statement on Supreme Court Nomination", "2020-09-26", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Supreme Court Nomination\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tSaturday, September 26, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, September 26  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court:\r\n\"President Trump and Senate Republicans have badly mismanaged a deadly pandemic for months. Now, in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis, they are willing to ram through a Supreme Court nomineewithin dayswho will vote to destroy the Affordable Care Act, kick millions of Americans off their health care, and eliminate protections for millions more who have preexisting conditions. This is an absolute outrage.\r\n\"The American people will not stand for this cynical effort to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, just days before an election, with someone who will roll back basic protections for women, workers, voters, people of color, the LGBT community, and our environment. I strongly oppose this nomination and we must fight as hard as we can to ensure that this nominee is not confirmed.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-supreme-court-nomination/", "Sanders Statement on Supreme Court Nomination", "2020-09-26", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BURLINGTON, September 26  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement on President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court:  President Trump and Senate Republicans have badly mismanaged a deadly pandemic for months. Now, in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis, they are willing to ram through a Supreme Court nomineewithin dayswho will vote to destroy the Affordable Care Act, kick millions of Americans off their health care, and eliminate protections for millions more who have preexisting conditions. This is an absolute outrage.The American people will not stand for this cynical effort to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, just days before an election, with someone who will roll back basic protections for women, workers, voters, people of color, the LGBT community, and our environment. I strongly oppose this nomination and we must fight as hard as we can to ensure that this nominee is not confirmed.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/must-watch-sanders-take-trump-threat-to-us-democracy-seriously", "Must Watch: Sanders: Take Trump Threat To U.S. Democracy Seriously", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Must Watch: Sanders: Take Trump Threat To U.S. Democracy Seriously\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, September 24, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tSenator Bernie Sanders talks with Rachel Maddow about why Donald Trump's efforts to delegitimize the 2020 election should be taken seriously and the nightmare scenario he is most concerned about for Election Night.Watch here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/live-sens-gillibrand-and-sanders-talk-postalbanking-2020-09-24", "LIVE: Sens. Gillibrand and Sanders Talk PostalBanking", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LIVE: Sens. Gillibrand and Sanders Talk PostalBanking \n            Join me and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as we introduce the Postal Banking Act. Together, we will guarantee basic banking services to allno outrageous fees or interest ratesall at your local post office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/senate-republicans-brazen-hypocrisy-on-the-supreme-court", "Senate Republicans' Brazen Hypocrisy on the Supreme Court", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Republicans' Brazen Hypocrisy on the Supreme Court \n            Here's what Senate Republicans said when they blocked President Obama's Supreme Court nominee. Do they have any integrity?\nThe right thing to do for this vacancy is clear, and Senate Republicans know it. They've stated it clearer than I could.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/bolivias-left-could-win-an-upcoming-election-us-democrats-dont-want-a-repeat-of-last-years-crisis", "Bolivias Left Could Win an Upcoming Election. U.S. Democrats Dont Want a Repeat of Last Years Crisis.", "2020-09-22", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A year after staging an election mired in controversy, Bolivia may be on the verge of doing it all over again. Following multiple postponements by the country's caretaker regime, elections are slated for Oct. 18. Current polling shows a clear lead for Socialist presidential candidate Luis Arce over centrist former president Carlos Mesa and a slate of other candidates. If Arce wins at least 40 percent of the vote by a 10 percent margin over his nearest rival, he would avoid the possibility of a runoff.\r\n\r\n\r\nIt would mark a dramatic reversal of political fortunes for the country's left after long-ruling former president Evo Morales wasforced to flee last November. At the time, Morales's opponents alleged the results of the October 2019 election had been manipulated to deliver him a margin of victory not actually achieved. Their case was buttressed by a report put out by the Organization of American States, an influential hemispheric body headquartered in Washington, that said evidence of electoral irregularities forced them to question the integrity of the results.\r\n\r\nMass protests in the country and a police mutiny eventually prompted Morales to bow to pressure and leave for exile, and ushered in an interim government led by right-wing lawmaker Jeanine ez. Both liberals and conservatives abroadcheered this ostensible display of people powerat the time andscolded those who branded events in Bolivia a coup pointing, instead, to Morales's earlier refusal to heed the result of a 2016 referendum limiting his terms in power. The White House celebrated the fall of a leftist government. We are now one step closer to a completely democratic, prosperous, and free Western Hemisphere, declared President Trump.\r\n\r\nBut things were perhaps not quite what they seemed. Aez,known to espouse racist, anti-Indigenous views, went on to preside over an interim regime that wheeled viciously against political opponents and Morales supporters. These included myriad reports of police brutality and murders of civilians by security forces. Fresh elections planned for May were deferred multiple times, as the caretaker government floundered in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, tens of thousands of people took to the streets,setting up blockades in angerover what they perceived as the usurper regime's bid to cling to power.\r\n\r\nLast week, Aez announced that she would drop out of the presidential race  months after breaking a commitment to not run in the first place  to not undermine the right-wing vote. I'm doing this because of a risk that the vote gets divided between various candidates, Aez said ina national addressplaced on social media. It's not a sacrifice, it's an honor.\r\n\r\nNevertheless, her administration is reeling. There have been frequent cases of corruption, includingthe arrest of a health ministerin connection with the overpricing of ventilators for the treatment of Covid-19,wrote Diego von Vacano, a Latin America expert at Texas A&M University. Moreover, asHarvard's International Human Rights ClinicandAmnesty Internationalhave shown, there have been widespread human rights abuses, including restrictions to freedom of speech and excessive use of force, during Aez's tenure.\"\r\n\r\nThe Trump administration's lack of focus on the course of events in Bolivia after Morales left was a sign of its broader regional agenda. Washington's response  or the lack thereof  reflects what analysts say is the most ideological policy on Latin America by an American administration since the region's shift toward democracy in the 1980s and early 1990s,my colleagues reported in March. Critics say the Trump administration has played down a wave of repression unleashed by ez in Bolivia, the killings of left-wing community leaders in Colombia, shootings by police in poor Brazilian neighborhoods, and the alleged drug-trafficking links and human rights abuses of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernndez. All are countries run by conservative, pro-Trump governments.\r\n\r\nMoreover, in the months since Morales's ouster,separate studiescalled into questionthe accuracy ofthe OAS's assessment. The OAS allegations were indeed the main political foundation of the coup, and they continued for months,wrote Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a left-leaning think tank in Washington that produced a number of reports rebutting the OAS's flawed statistical analyses.\r\n\r\nAn official at the OAS declined to comment on the record to Today's WorldView about the recent complaints but pointed toa June statement the organization put outin response toa separate New York Times storythat was critical of the organization's role in the election. The statement defended the OAS's actions, derided its critics as leftist propagandists and accused the Times of trying to deny the Bolivian People the possibility of electing a new president that is not Evo Morales.\r\n\r\nThat's not good enough for some lawmakers in Washington. Aletter sent Tuesday to Secretary of State Mike Pompeoby more than two dozen Democratic members of Congress (and shown in advance exclusively to Today's WorldView) urged the Trump administration to use its voice at the OAS to advocate for a thorough, independent assessment of the OAS's statements and reports regarding Bolivia's 2019 elections, not least because the OAS draws much of its funding from the United States and is also poised to make a determination of the freedom, fairness, and integrity of the upcoming elections.\r\n\r\nThe letter's principal signatories included Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.).\r\n\r\nThe Organization of American States' decision last year to declare Bolivia's election fraudulent on the basis of questionable evidence helped fuel a crisis of democracy and human rights that Bolivians are experiencing to this day, Sanders told Today's WorldView. Bolivia's post-coup government carried out racist violence against indigenous people, imprisoned activists, and threatened political opponents.\r\n\r\nWhat more than two dozen of my colleagues and I are demanding is that the United States government take responsibility for what is done with our taxpayer dollars and wield oversight over the OAS, Sanders added. Securing accountability and transparency from the OAS is vital to a free and fair election in Bolivia next month.\r\n\r\nAway from Washington, the stakes are even higher. Bolivia faces a grave sociopolitical crisis, which puts the country at a crossroads, said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International,in a statement earlier this summer. The nation's only viable means of emerging from this crisis is to put the human rights of all its people at the center of its response. Otherwise, the population, especially historically marginalized groups, are condemned to spiraling violence and continuing violations of their rights.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-dos-docenas-de-legisladores-piden-responsabilidad-de-la-oea-para-garantizar-elecciones-justas-en-bolivia", "Sanders, Dos Docenas de Legisladores Piden Responsabilidad de la OEA Para Garantizar Elecciones Justas en Bolivia", "2020-09-22", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Dos Docenas de Legisladores Piden Responsabilidad de la OEA Para Garantizar Elecciones Justas en Bolivia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, September 22, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t(Read the version in English here.)\r\n\r\nEl senador Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), la representante Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), el representante Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) y la representante Deb Haaland (DN.M.) lideran una carta bicameral enviada hoy al Secretario de Estado Mike Pompeo. En dicha carta, junto a dos docenas de miembros del Congreso, le piden al Departamento de Estado que lleve a cabo una revisin completa e independiente de la Organizacin de Estados Americanos (OEA) con respecto a sus acciones en noviembre pasado que contribuyeron a un importante deterioro respecto a derechos humanos y democracia en Bolivia.\r\nLos miembros del Congreso expresaron su \"profunda preocupacin\" por la \"falta de responsabilidad y transparencia\" de la OEA con respecto a las denuncias ampliamente refutadas de fraude electoral en Bolivia el ao pasado. El New York Times inform que estas afirmaciones iniciales de la OEA fueron \"aprovechadas\" para \"intensificar las protestas, reunir apoyo internacional y expulsar al [presidente] Morales del poder con apoyo militar semanas despus\". Las autoridades no electas, reconocidas rpidamente por el Secretario General de la OEA, han promovido una agenda racista, anti-indgena y desplegado militares para reprimir violentamente las protestas, resultando en la muerte y heridas de muchos civiles, escribieron los congresistas, citando un informe realizado por la Clnica Internacional de Derechos Humanos en la Facultad de Derecho de Harvard.\r\nPor muchos meses, la OEA se ha \"negado a responder preguntas bsicas\" de los miembros del Congreso sobre sus reclamos, a pesar del rol del Congreso en la apropiacin \"de la mayor parte del presupuesto de la OEA\", expresaron los legisladores. Dado que la OEA est preparada para tomar una determinacin sobre la libertad, la justicia y la integridad de las prximas elecciones en Bolivia bajo un gobierno represivo y no electo, los legisladores instan a la administracin a usar su voz en la OEA para abogar por una evaluacin exhaustiva e independiente de las declaraciones de la OEA y asegurar que se tomen las medidas correctivas para asegurar que las futuras misiones de observacin electoral de la OEA desempeen sus funciones de manera independiente, imparcial y profesional .\r\nLa decisin de la Organizacin de Estados Americanos el ao pasado de declarar fraudulentas las elecciones en Bolivia usando evidencia cuestionable ayud a alimentar una crisis de democracia y derechos humanos que los bolivianos estn experimentando hasta el presente, dijo Sanders. El gobierno de facto que se instaur luego del golpe en Bolivia llev a cabo actos de violencia racistas contra los indgenas, encarcel a activistas y amenaz a los opositores polticos. Lo que ms de dos docenas de mis colegas y yo estamos exigiendo es que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos asuma la responsabilidad de lo que se haga con los dlares de nuestros constituyentes y ejerza supervisin sobre la OEA. Asegurar la rendicin de cuentas y la transparencia de la OEA es vital para unas elecciones libres y justas en Bolivia el prximo mes.\r\nA medida que Bolivia se acerca a sus prximas elecciones, es imperativo que la votacin se administre con responsabilidad y sin interferencias, dijo Johnson. Mis colegas y yo pedimos al Departamento de Estado que se asegure de que la Organizacin de los Estados Americanos (OEA) no repita sus errores del monitoreo de las elecciones de 2019 en Bolivia y erosione an ms la democracia y los derechos humanos en el pas. Las declaraciones engaosas de la OEA arrojaron a Bolivia en picada poltica; destituir por la fuerza a Evo Morales, el primer presidente indgena de la nacin, marcar el comienzo de una administracin racista y anti-indgena y una represin violenta y militarizada de las protestas civiles que siguieron. Esto es inaceptable y Estados Unidos no debera ser cmplice de acciones que socavan la democracia.\r\n\"Desde el da despus de las elecciones bolivianas de 2019, la OEA ha ayudado a dirigir una narrativa falsa de que el presidente en ejercicio, Evo Morales, y su partido\" manipularon \"las elecciones\", dijo la congresista Jan Schakowsky. Esta narrativa contribuy a la polarizacin poltica, un golpe militar y una violenta represin poltica en Bolivia, as como a la incertidumbre sobre el futuro de la democracia. Con las prximas elecciones acercndose rpidamente, finalmente debemos ver la rendicin de cuentas y la transparencia de la OEA, y asegurarnos de que lleve a cabo su misin de manera independiente e imparcial.\r\nDesde la renuncia forzada del presidente Morales, la extrema derecha de Bolivia ha impuesto una retrica anti-indgena daina y violencia sistemtica hacia manifestantes, grupos indgenas y afro bolivianos, dijo Haaland. La situacin actual es profundamente preocupante. Es un ataque a la democracia y los derechos humanos. El secretario Pompeo debe actuar ahora; si esperamos, Bolivia podra quedarse sin democracia en los prximos aos.\r\nLa carta tambin fue firmada por los representantes Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D- Minn.), Nydia Velzquez (D-N.Y.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Jess \"Chuy\" Garca (D-Ill.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J .), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D- Calif.), Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) Y Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).\r\nLea la carta aqu.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-two-dozen-lawmakers-call-for-oas-accountability-to-ensure-fair-elections-in-bolivia", "Sanders, Two Dozen Lawmakers Call for OAS Accountability to Ensure Fair Elections in Bolivia", "2020-09-22", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Two Dozen Lawmakers Call for OAS Accountability to Ensure Fair Elections in Bolivia\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, September 22, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t(Lase la versin en espaol aqu)\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, September 22  In a bicameral letter sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), and Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) led two dozen members of Congress in calling on the State Department to pursue a full, independent review of the Organization of American States (OAS) regarding its actions last November that contributed to a major deterioration of human rights and democracy in Bolivia. \r\nThe members of Congress expressed deep concern with the OAS's lack of accountability and transparency regarding the organization's widely refuted claims of electoral fraud in Bolivia last year.The New York Timesreportedthat these initial OAS claims were seized on to escalate protests, gather international support, and push [President] Morales from power with military support weeks later. The unelected authorities, quickly recognized by the OAS Secretary General, have promoted a racist, anti-indigenous agenda and deployed the military to violently repress protests, resulting in the killing and injury of many civilians,\"wrote the lawmakers, citinga reportconducted by Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic. \r\nFor months, the OAS has refused to answer basic questions from legislators regarding its claims despite the role of Congress in appropriating the majority of the OAS's budget, continued the lawmakers. Given that the OAS is poised to make a determination of the freedom, fairness, and integrity of the upcoming elections in Bolivia under an unelected and repressive government, the members of Congress urge the administration to use its voice at the OAS to advocate for a thorough, independent assessment of the OAS's statements, and ensure that corrective measures are taken to ensure that future OAS electoral observation missions perform their functions in an independent, impartial and professional manner.\" \r\n\"The Organization of American States' decision last year to declare Bolivia's election fraudulent on the basis of questionable evidence helped fuel a crisis of democracy and human rights that Bolivians are experiencing to this day,\"said Sanders.\"Bolivia's post-coup government carried out racist violence against indigenous people, imprisoned activists, and threatened political opponents. What more than two dozen of my colleagues and I are demanding is that the United States government take responsibility for what is done with our taxpayer dollars and wield oversight over the OAS. Securing accountability and transparency from the OAS is vital to a free and fair election in Bolivia nextmonth.\" \r\n\"Since the day after the 2019 Bolivian elections, the OAS has helped direct a false narrative that the incumbent president, Evo Morales, and his party rigged' the election,\"said Schakowsky. This narrative contributed to political polarization, a military coup, and violent political repression in Bolivia as well as uncertainty for the democracy's future. With the next election fast approaching, we must finally see accountability and transparency from OAS, and ensure that it carries out its mission independently and impartially.\" \r\nAs Bolivia approaches their next election, it is imperative that voting be administered with accountability and free from interference,\"said Johnson.\"My colleagues and I are calling on the State Department to ensure that the OAS doesn't repeat their mistakes from Bolivia's 2019 election monitoring and further erode democracy and human rights in the country. The OAS's misleading statements threw Bolivia into a political tailspin, forcibly unseating Evo Moralesthe nation's first indigenous presidentand ushering in a racist, anti-indigenous administration, and the violent, militarized repression of the civilian protests that followed. This is unacceptable, and the United States should not be abetting actions that undermine democracy.\r\n\"Since President Morales' forced resignation, Bolivia's far right has levied harmful anti-Indigenous rhetoric and state violence towards protestors, Indigenous and Afro-Bolivian groups,\"said Haaland.\"This is an attack on democracy and human rights. Secretary Pompeo must act nowif we wait, Bolivia may be left without a democracy for years to come.\"\r\nThe letter was also signed by Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Nydia Velzquez (D-N.Y.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Jess Chuy Garca (D-Ill.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). Read the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-dos-docenas-de-legisladores-piden-responsabilidad-de-la-oea-para-garantizar-elecciones-justas-en-bolivia/", "Sanders, Dos Docenas de Legisladores Piden Responsabilidad de la OEA Para Garantizar Elecciones Justas en Bolivia", "2020-09-22", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Read the version in Englishhere.)\nWASHINGTON, 22 deseptiembreEl senador Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), la representante Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), el representante Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) y la representante Deb Haaland (DN.M.) lideran una carta bicameral enviada hoy al Secretario de Estado Mike Pompeo. En dicha carta, junto a dos docenas de miembros del Congreso, le piden al Departamento de Estado que lleve a cabo una revisin completa e independiente de la Organizacin de Estados Americanos (OEA) con respecto a sus acciones en noviembre pasado que contribuyeron a un importante deterioro respecto a derechos humanos y democracia en Bolivia.\nLos miembros del Congreso expresaron su profunda preocupacin por la falta de responsabilidad y transparencia de la OEA con respecto a lasdenunciasampliamenterefutadasde fraude electoral en Bolivia el ao pasado. El New York Timesinformque estas afirmaciones iniciales de la OEA fueron aprovechadas para intensificar las protestas, reunir apoyo internacional y expulsar al [presidente] Morales del poder con apoyo militar semanas despus. Las autoridades no electas, reconocidas rpidamente por el Secretario General de la OEA, han promovido una agenda racista, anti-indgena y desplegado militares para reprimir violentamente las protestas, resultando en la muerte y heridas de muchos civiles, escribieron los congresistas, citando uninformerealizado por la Clnica Internacional de Derechos Humanos en la Facultad de Derecho de Harvard.\nPor muchos meses, la OEA se ha negado a responder preguntas bsicas de los miembros del Congreso sobre sus reclamos, a pesar del rol del Congreso en la apropiacin de la mayor parte del presupuesto de la OEA, expresaron los legisladores. Dado que la OEA est preparada para tomar una determinacin sobre la libertad, la justicia y la integridad de las prximas elecciones en Bolivia bajo un gobierno represivo y no electo, los legisladores instan a la administracin a usar su voz en la OEA para abogar por una evaluacin exhaustiva e independiente de las declaraciones de la OEA y asegurar que se tomen las medidas correctivas para asegurar que las futuras misiones de observacin electoral de la OEA desempeen sus funciones de manera independiente, imparcial y profesional .\nLa decisin de la Organizacin de Estados Americanos el ao pasado de declarar fraudulentas las elecciones en Bolivia usando evidencia cuestionable ayud a alimentar una crisis de democracia y derechos humanos que los bolivianos estn experimentando hasta el presente,dijo Sanders.El gobierno de facto que se instaur luego del golpe en Bolivia llev a cabo actos de violencia racistas contra los indgenas, encarcel a activistas y amenaz a los opositores polticos. Lo que ms de dos docenas de mis colegas y yo estamos exigiendo es que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos asuma la responsabilidad de lo que se haga con los dlares de nuestros constituyentes y ejerza supervisin sobre la OEA. Asegurar la rendicin de cuentas y la transparencia de la OEA es vital para unas elecciones libres y justas en Bolivia el prximo mes.\nDesde el da despus de las elecciones bolivianas de 2019, la OEA ha ayudado a dirigir una narrativa falsa de que el presidente en ejercicio, Evo Morales, y su partido manipularon las elecciones,dijo la congresista Jan Schakowsky.Esta narrativa contribuy a la polarizacin poltica, un golpe militar y una violenta represin poltica en Bolivia, as como a la incertidumbre sobre el futuro de la democracia. Con las prximas elecciones acercndose rpidamente, finalmente debemos ver la rendicin de cuentas y la transparencia de la OEA, y asegurarnos de que lleve a cabo su misin de manera independiente e imparcial.\nA medida que Bolivia se acerca a sus prximas elecciones, es imperativo que la votacin se administre con responsabilidad y sin interferencias,dijo Johnson.Mis colegas y yo pedimos al Departamento de Estado que se asegure de que la Organizacin de los Estados Americanos (OEA) no repita sus errores del monitoreo de las elecciones de 2019 en Bolivia y erosione an ms la democracia y los derechos humanos en el pas. Las declaraciones engaosas de la OEA arrojaron a Bolivia en picada poltica; destituir por la fuerza a Evo Morales, el primer presidente indgena de la nacin, marcar el comienzo de una administracin racista y anti-indgena y una represin violenta y militarizada de las protestas civiles que siguieron. Esto es inaceptable y Estados Unidos no debera ser cmplice de acciones que socavan la democracia.\nDesde la renuncia forzada del presidente Morales, la extrema derecha de Bolivia ha impuesto una retrica anti-indgena daina y violencia sistemtica hacia manifestantes, grupos indgenas y afro bolivianos,dijo Haaland.La situacin actual es profundamente preocupante. Es un ataque a la democracia y los derechos humanos. El secretario Pompeo debe actuar ahora; si esperamos, Bolivia podra quedarse sin democracia en los prximos aos.\nLa carta tambin fue firmada por los representantes Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D- Minn.), Nydia Velzquez (D-N.Y.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Jess Chuy Garca (D-Ill.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J .), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D- Calif.), Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) Y Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).\nLea la cartaaqu.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-two-dozen-lawmakers-call-for-oas-accountability-to-ensure-fair-elections-in-bolivia/", "Sanders, Two Dozen Lawmakers Call for OAS Accountability to Ensure Fair Elections in Bolivia", "2020-09-22", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Lase la versin en espaol aqu)\nWASHINGTON, September 22  In a bicameral letter sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), and Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) led two dozen members of Congress in calling on the State Department to pursue a full, independent review of the Organization of American States (OAS) regarding its actions last November that contributed to a major deterioration of human rights and democracy in Bolivia.\nThe members of Congress expressed deep concern with the OAS's lack of accountability and transparency regarding the organization's widely refuted claims of electoral fraud in Bolivia last year. The New York Times reported that these initial OAS claims were seized on to escalate protests, gather international support, and push [President] Morales from power with military support weeks later. The unelected authorities, quickly recognized by the OAS Secretary General, have promoted a racist, anti-indigenous agenda and deployed the military to violently repress protests, resulting in the killing and injury of many civilians, wrote the lawmakers, citing a report conducted by Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic.\nFor months, the OAS has refused to answer basic questions from legislators regarding its claims despite the role of Congress in appropriating the majority of the OAS's budget, continued the lawmakers. Given that the OAS is poised to make a determination of the freedom, fairness, and integrity of the upcoming elections in Bolivia under an unelected and repressive government, the members of Congress urge the administration to use its voice at the OAS to advocate for a thorough, independent assessment of the OAS's statements, and ensure that corrective measures are taken to ensure that future OAS electoral observation missions perform their functions in an independent, impartial and professional manner.\nThe Organization of American States' decision last year to declare Bolivia's election fraudulent on the basis of questionable evidence helped fuel a crisis of democracy and human rights that Bolivians are experiencing to this day, said Sanders. Bolivia's post-coup government carried out racist violence against indigenous people, imprisoned activists, and threatened political opponents. What more than two dozen of my colleagues and I are demanding is that the United States government take responsibility for what is done with our taxpayer dollars and wield oversight over the OAS. Securing accountability and transparency from the OAS is vital to a free and fair election in Bolivia next month.\nSince the day after the 2019 Bolivian elections, the OAS has helped direct a false narrative that the incumbent president, Evo Morales, and his party rigged' the election, said Schakowsky. This narrative contributed to political polarization, a military coup, and violent political repression in Bolivia as well as uncertainty for the democracy's future. With the next election fast approaching, we must finally see accountability and transparency from OAS, and ensure that it carries out its mission independently and impartially.\nAs Bolivia approaches their next election, it is imperative that voting be administered with accountability and free from interference, said Johnson. My colleagues and I are calling on the State Department to ensure that the OAS doesn't repeat their mistakes from Bolivia's 2019 election monitoring and further erode democracy and human rights in the country. The OAS's misleading statements threw Bolivia into a political tailspin, forcibly unseating Evo Moralesthe nation's first indigenous presidentand ushering in a racist, anti-indigenous administration, and the violent, militarized repression of the civilian protests that followed. This is unacceptable, and the United States should not be abetting actions that undermine democracy.\nSince President Morales' forced resignation, Bolivia's far right has levied harmful anti-Indigenous rhetoric and state violence towards protestors, Indigenous and Afro-Bolivian groups, said Haaland. This is an attack on democracy and human rights. Secretary Pompeo must act nowif we wait, Bolivia may be left without a democracy for years to come.\nThe letter was also signed by Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Nydia Velzquez (D-N.Y.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Jess Chuy Garca (D-Ill.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).\nRead the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-passing-of-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg", "Sanders Statement on Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg", "2020-09-18", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Statement on Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFriday, September 18, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, September 18  Sen. Bernie Sanders issued the following statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:\r\n\"The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tremendous loss to our country. She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights, and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history.\r\n\"Unfortunately, we've already heard tonight from Sen. McConnell that he has decided to go against Justice Ginsburg's dying wishes and violate his own past statements in order to bring a judge nominated by President Trump to the floor of the United States Senate.\r\n\"That's in direct contradiction of his statement in 2016, when he said Supreme Court nominees should not be voted on during a presidential election year: Our view is this: Give the people a voice in filling this vacancy,' he said. McConnell is cementing a shameful legacy of brazen hypocrisy.\r\n\"Thankfully not all Senate Republicans agree.\r\n\"Just today, Sen. Lisa Murkowski came out against an appointment this close to an election. I would not vote to confirm a Supreme Court nominee,' she said. We are 50 some days away from an election.' In addition, several of McConnell's other colleagues have previously stated they're against confirming a new justice this close to an election. Sen. Chuck Grassley said in May, You can't have one rule for Democratic presidents and another rule for Republican presidents.' Sen. Susan Collins said, I think that's too close, I really do,' when asked by The New York Times about appointing a justice in October.\r\n\"But no one has been clearer than Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Lindsay Graham. He promised in 2018 that if an opening comes in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process has started, we'll wait to the next election.'\r\n\"The right thing to do here is clear. The Republicans in the Senate know it, and many of them have stated it clearer than I could. We should let voters decide. Period.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-passing-of-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg/", "Sanders Statement on Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg", "2020-09-18", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BURLINGTON, September 18  Sen. Bernie Sanders issued the following statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:\nThe passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tremendous loss to our country. She was an extraordinary champion of justice and equal rights, and will be remembered as one of the great justices in modern American history.\nUnfortunately, we've already heard tonight from Sen. McConnell that he has decided to go against Justice Ginsburg's dying wishes and violate his own past statements in order to bring a judge nominated by President Trump to the floor of the United States Senate.\nThat's in direct contradiction of his statement in 2016, when he said Supreme Court nominees should not be voted on during a presidential election year: Our view is this: Give the people a voice in filling this vacancy,' he said. McConnell is cementing a shameful legacy of brazen hypocrisy.\nThankfully not all Senate Republicans agree.\nJust today, Sen. Lisa Murkowski came out against an appointment this close to an election. I would not vote to confirm a Supreme Court nominee,' she said. We are 50 some days away from an election.' In addition, several of McConnell's other colleagues have previously stated they're against confirming a new justice this close to an election. Sen. Chuck Grassley said in May, You can't have one rule for Democratic presidents and another rule for Republican presidents.' Sen. Susan Collins said, I think that's too close, I really do,' when asked by The New York Times about appointing a justice in October.\nBut no one has been clearer than Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Lindsay Graham. He promised in 2018 that if an opening comes in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process has started, we'll wait to the next election.'\nThe right thing to do here is clear. The Republicans in the Senate know it, and many of them have stated it clearer than I could. We should let voters decide. Period.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/how-vermont-became-a-model-for-the-country-in-responding-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic", "How Vermont Became a 'Model for the Country' in Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "How Vermont Became a 'Model for the Country' in Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By: Meredith Deliso \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, September 17, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tIt's mid-September, and Dr. Mark Levine is feeling really good. Vermont, where he serves as the state'shealthcommissioner, has had the lowest rate of new COVID-19 cases and test positivity in the country for several weeks now. As of Wednesday, there were only three patients hospitalized in the state for the virus, and Vermont's last reported COVID-19 death was on July 28.\r\nDr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's foremost infectious disease expert, touted Vermont's COVID-19 response on Tuesday during a press briefing with Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, saying the state \"should be the model for the country\" on \"opening up the economy in a safe and prudent way.\"\r\nBut despite the state's success -- and also because of it -- Levine doesn't want Vermonters to let their guard down.\r\n\"Just because we're in a good place -- we know that this virus is a formidable foe,\" the health commissioner told ABC News.\r\nAs the fall approaches, bringing anticipated tourism to the state as well as concerns about a \"twindemic\" of COVID-19 and the flu, the state is continuing to follow its playbook for a cautious, data-driven reopening that continually stresses the basics of handwashing, physically distancing and avoiding congregate settings.\r\nIt's a playbook that officials stress doesn't rely on the state's small size to provide any advantages. Vermont is one of the most rural states in the country, and one of the smallest by population -- though public health experts are quick to dismiss those as playing major parts in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the state.\r\n\"At first, nationwide, people thought that rural would protect you.  But that myth was dispelled later on, particularly in the late spring and summer, when all the southern and western states had their surge,\" Levine said. \"Here, we don't believe the rural nature has been protective by any means.\"\r\n\"Rural helps, but is most definitely not the whole story,\" Dr. Jan Carney, associate dean for public health and health policy at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine, told ABC News.\r\nFor the past several weeks, Vermont has had the lowest rate of new cases and test positivity in the country, based on weekly reports from the White House Coronavirus Task Force. In the latest report, dated Sept. 13, Vermont was the only state to be in the \"green zone\" for both cases (indicating fewer than 10 new cases per 100,000 population) and positivity rate (indicating a rate below 5%). \"Vermont continues to have excellent epidemic control,\" the report noted.\r\nAccording to the state health department, Vermont's positivity rate has held steady at around 0.2% for several months, and it has the lowest rate of total COVID-19 infection in the country, with 261 cases per 100,000 people versus the national average of 1,845 per 100,000.\r\nLevine noted three factors that have helped Vermont get to this point. For one, the state overall tends to be relatively healthy, he said, pointing to studies by organizations like the Commonwealth Fund. In the foundation'slatest scorecardon state health system performance, looking at indicators such as access to health care, quality of care and health outcomes, Vermont ranked fifth in the country.\r\n\"Vermonters have a history of prioritizing health,\" Levine said. During the pandemic, residents' compliance with behaviors like frequent hand-washing, mask-wearing and social distancing has been \"really paramount,\" he said.\r\nAnother factor: Early in the pandemic, the state knew that it \"needed to actively and proactively protect the most vulnerable,\" Levine said. Among those measures, the state has focused contact tracing and testing efforts in long-term care facilities and offered universal testing at group-living facilities.\r\nLastly, the state acted quickly to introduce social distancing measures, such as closing schools and restaurants and reducing the size of mass gatherings -- and it didn't start reopening \"until we thought we were at a sufficient level of virus suppression,\" Levine said.\r\nThe worst of the pandemic in Vermont, by several metrics, was early on. The daily number of reported COVID-19 cases peaked on April 3, and the highest percentage of positive cases, 11%, came in late March, according to data from the health department. The state only started loosening restrictions toward the end of April, as the rate of spread slowed.\r\n\"Many states have basically just said, 'We're going to just reopen,' and they had lots of virus and high percent positivities when they chose to do that,\" Levine said. \"Our stance was that public health and safety was paramount, and we would reopen when we had suppressed the virus. It was a very cautious reopening, it was a very phased and gradual reopening.\"\r\nGov. Scott has often likened that approach to incrementally \"turning the spigot\" -- reopening one sector, waiting two weeks and watching the data, and then opening the next sector, and so on.\r\n\"That's gotten us to where we are, which is a really good place,\" Levine said.\r\n Foundation of teamwork \r\nVermont is among a minority of states to have a centralized public health system, which in this case may have also helped in its pandemic response, public health experts said.\r\n\"It is a consistent message, and consistent application of policies and consistent ways that we can interact with populations on a local level,\" Levine said.\r\nFor Carney, who served as the state's commissioner of health from 1989 to 2003, that teamwork between government, medical experts and social service organizations in the state has been crucial.\r\n\"When something happens like a pandemic, you don't have to develop them new, you build on the relationships that you have,\" Carney said. \"There's this foundation of teamwork and concern about health that has served us well in the past and is one of our absolute strengths right now.\"\r\nLevine said the state has been leaning on those relationships as it works to address disproportionate rates of COVID-19 cases in Hispanic and African-American populations, including working with community organizations to spread public health messaging.\r\n Tourism and 'twindemic' \r\nVermont has continued to slowly turn the spigot, with K-12 schools and college campuses reopening in recent weeks. The state is in discussions to further open up the hospitality industry, as leaf-peeping and ski seasons approach.\r\n\"A big threat in Vermont is travel,\" Levine said. \"We want to do it right and still allow people to have a pleasant time and come to Vermont to do what they want to do, and have Vermonters be able to do what they want to do.\"\r\nLevine said the state plans to offer guidance on a \"thoughtful and cautious\" hospitality reopening soon.\r\nIn August, the governor also instituted a statewide mask mandate in anticipation of increased travel to Vermont. In announcing the order, Scott said he felt \"we need to act now to protect our gains, which have allowed us to reopen much of our economy.\"\r\nAnother concern for the fall is the flu. Experts are bracing for what some have called a \"twindemic\" of COVID-19 and the flu being active at the same time.\r\n\"We do really want people to get their flu shot now more than ever,\" Levine said. To that end, he said, the state is trying to make it \"as easy as possible\" to get the vaccine, and is currently working to set up flu shot locations beyond the usual pharmacies and doctor's offices.\r\nBeing vigilant about behaviors like mask-wearing and social distancing will also continue to be key, experts said.\r\n\"Don't get careless,\" Fauci advised on Tuesday. \"It's going to be challenging as you get into the fall and the winter, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to have a problem if you do the kind of prudent public health measures that you've been doing.\"\r\nIt's a message that is applicable everywhere, not just Vermont, Carney said.\r\n\"It's so fundamental -- hand washing and wearing cloth face coverings and keeping physically distant from people whenever possible  and being able to do that over a long period of time,\" she said. \"It's really important, as the winter comes into play, and as more people are inside, and as we approach flu season -- we have to stick with it and keep working at it for the foreseeable future.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gillibrand-sanders-reintroduce-postal-banking-act-to-fund-us-postal-service", "Gillibrand, Sanders Reintroduce Postal Banking Act to Fund U.S. Postal Service", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Gillibrand, Sanders Reintroduce Postal Banking Act to Fund U.S. Postal Service\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, September 17, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, September 17  Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) held a conversation on Facebook Live to announce the Postal Banking Act. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has faced repeated attacks by the Trump administration including denying emergency funding during the pandemic and putting postal workers at risk of losing their jobs, disrupting operations and services, and delaying mail delivery. The Postal Banking Act would re-establish postal banking to provide financial security to millions of Americans in low-income and rural communities and create approximately $9 billion in annual revenue and strengthen USPS. \r\n\"It is absolutely unacceptable that communities all over America lack traditional banking services, said Senator Sanders.\"During the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, we need to make sure that everyone in America is able to receive the affordable banking services that they desperately need.No one in America should have to pay a 400 percent interest rate on a $375 loan from a payday lender.The time has come toput predatory lenders out of business and provide affordable banking options to all Americans through the United States Postal Service. And that is exactly what our legislation will do.\" \r\n\"Being poor in America was expensive before the pandemic, and this unprecedented crisis has made it even harder for under-served communities to access the financial services they need. In addition, the administration's relentless attacks on the Postal Service and push for privatization is compounding the challenges faced by American families, said Senator Gillibrand. The USPS is the only institution that serves every community in the country, from inner cities to rural America. The Postal Banking Act would reinforce the Postal Service, provide critical revenue, and establish postal banking for the nearly 10 million American households who lack access to basic financial services. I'm proud to reintroduce this legislation with my friend Senator Sanders, a leader in the fight against predatory financial institutions.\" \r\nThe Postal Service employs 600,000 workers, including nearly 100,000 vets, and millions of Americans rely on it to deliver their paychecks, prescriptions, and their votes. Yet, the Trump administration has refused to consider emergency funding for the agency in coronavirus relief legislation. Furthermore, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has imposed destructive changes that have slowed mail and compromised services for veterans, small businesses, rural communities, seniors, and families who rely on the mail for medicines, essential goods, voting, correspondence, and for income. With even more voters relying on mail in ballots for November these recent changes to USPS could increase costs for states and make it impossible for election mail to be delivered in time. ThePostal Banking Actwould strengthen the Postal Service by establishing a nonprofit bank offering low-cost checking and savings accounts, ATMs, mobile banking, and low-interest loans. According to a report from the USPS Inspector General, this proposal would create $9 billion in revenue for the Postal Service each year. The postal bank would provide financial services to Americans who have been economically devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Predatory financial services such as prepaid debit cards, rent-to-own stores, and overdraft fees, often exploit the most vulnerable populations  including low income households, rural communities, veterans and families of active duty personnel  especially in times of economic crisis. Instead of turning to these predatory services, families would gain access to traditional basic banking services and safe financial alternatives through the postal bank. \r\nThe legislation has been endorsed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Family Voices, Center for Popular Democracy, Color of Change, Family Farm Defenders, Farm Aid, Indivisible, Mainers for Accountable Leadership, MoveOn, NETWORK Lobby Catholics for Social Justice, Our Revolution, Paragon Florida, People's Action, Public Citizen, Social Security Works, Stand By Your Mail: The People's Postal Rescue Campaign, Take on Wall Street, and Working Families Party.\r\n\r\n\r\nWatch the video on Facebook here. \r\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-welch-introduce-bill-to-give-states-greater-control-over-reactor-shutdown-plans", "Sanders, Welch Introduce Bill to Give States Greater Control Over Reactor Shutdown Plans", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Welch Introduce Bill to Give States Greater Control Over Reactor Shutdown Plans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, September 17, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2020 today, which gives states a meaningful role in the development and approval of reactor shutdown plans and post-shutdown license transfers.The legislation is co-led in the Senate by Sen. Duckworth (D-Ill.), Sen. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sen. Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and cosponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Sen. Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. King (I-Me.), Sen. Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Engel (D-N.Y.) in the U.S. House.\r\nCommunities experiencing the safety and economic impacts of nuclear plant decommissioning deserve dedicated economic relief and a role in shaping those decommissioning plans for nuclear reactors near them, especially in light of the coronavirus and climate change crises, Sanders said. This input is especially critical given the potential for non-operational plants to sit for decades before removal and decontamination. The Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2020 would transform a process that is weighted almost entirely toward the power plant licensees into one that strikes a reasonable balance between licensees and the impacted communities.\r\nVermonters know first-hand that decommissioning a nuclear power plant has enormous economic and environmental impacts on states and neighboring communities, said Welch. It is essential that state and local leaders have a seat at the table throughout the decommissioning process. This commonsense legislation ensures the decommissioning process is transparent, inclusive and collaborative.\r\nThe Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon was shuttered at the end of 2014 and ownership of the decommissioned plant was transferred in 2019. This bill would give affected states like Vermont an opportunity to weigh in on the new shutdown plan if there is a license transfer or other significant change to the decommissioning plan. Sanders and Welch first introduced an early version of the Nuclear Decommissioning Act in 2014, shortly after the closure of Vermont Yankee was announced.\r\nThe measure would also create several new grant programs to foster communication and information exchange between licensees and communities impacted by plant decommissioning and stranded nuclear waste, and to provide economic assistance to impacted communities.\r\nThe closure of Vermont Yankee has shown us how much local communities have at stake, in both the short and long term, when a plant shuts down, and also the great value that local leaders and citizens can offer at every step of the decommissioning process, said Leahy. This legislation brings the benefits of those lessons to provide host communities across the United States a seat at the table.\r\nAffected communities and state officials and should be able to have a meaningful role in the process of decommissioning nuclear power plants. The Nuclear Decommissioning Act would provide necessary transparency, public involvement and resources to those affected by nuclear plant decommissioningincluding communities near Pilgrim, Yankee Rowe, and Vermont Yankee in Massachusetts, Markey said. I strongly support this legislation, which would give the Commonwealth a say in the decommissioning process and ensure that surrounding communities receive the federal funding they need to address the economic and social impacts posed by the closure of these plants and the presence of stranded nuclear waste.\r\nThe legislation would require licensees to consult with the host state as well as state governments within 50 miles of the plant when drafting a proposed decommissioning plan, as well as require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to solicit public input on the proposed decommissioning plan. The NRC would have to evaluate and formally adopt or reject the input of the affected states.\r\nIf a host state supports the proposed plan or license transfer, the licensee can secure expedited NRC approval. Otherwise, the NRC must consider amending the proposed plan based on the host state's recommendations.\r\n\r\nTo read a one page summary of the bill, click here.\r\nTo read a section by section outline of the bill, click here.\r\nTo read the full text of the bill, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/live-sens-gillibrand-and-sanders-talk-postalbanking", "LIVE: Sens. Gillibrand and Sanders Talk PostalBanking", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LIVE: Sens. Gillibrand and Sanders Talk PostalBanking \n            Join me and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as we introduce the Postal Banking Act. Together, we will guarantee basic banking services to allno outrageous fees or interest ratesall at your local post office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/gillibrand-sanders-reintroduce-postal-banking-act-to-fund-u-s-postal-service/", "Gillibrand, Sanders Reintroduce Postal Banking Act to Fund U.S. Postal Service", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, September 17  Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) held a conversation on Facebook Live to announce the Postal Banking Act. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has faced repeated attacks by the Trump administration including denying emergency funding during the pandemic and putting postal workers at risk of losing their jobs, disrupting operations and services, and delaying mail delivery. The Postal Banking Act would re-establish postal banking to provide financial security to millions of Americans in low-income and rural communities and create approximately $9 billion in annual revenue and strengthen USPS.\nIt is absolutely unacceptable that communities all over America lack traditional banking services, said Senator Sanders. During the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, we need to make sure that everyone in America is able to receive the affordable banking services that they desperately need. No one in America should have to pay a 400 percent interest rate on a $375 loan from a payday lender. The time has come to put predatory lenders out of business and provide affordable banking options to all Americans through the United States Postal Service. And that is exactly what our legislation will do.\nBeing poor in America was expensive before the pandemic, and this unprecedented crisis has made it even harder for under-served communities to access the financial services they need. In addition, the administration's relentless attacks on the Postal Service and push for privatization is compounding the challenges faced by American families, said Senator Gillibrand. The USPS is the only institution that serves every community in the country, from inner cities to rural America. The Postal Banking Act would reinforce the Postal Service, provide critical revenue, and establish postal banking for the nearly 10 million American households who lack access to basic financial services. I'm proud to reintroduce this legislation with my friend Senator Sanders, a leader in the fight against predatory financial institutions.\nThe Postal Service employs 600,000 workers, including nearly 100,000 vets, and millions of Americans rely on it to deliver their paychecks, prescriptions, and their votes. Yet, the Trump administration has refused to consider emergency funding for the agency in coronavirus relief legislation. Furthermore, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has imposed destructive changes that have slowed mail and compromised services for veterans, small businesses, rural communities, seniors, and families who rely on the mail for medicines, essential goods, voting, correspondence, and for income. With even more voters relying on mail in ballots for November these recent changes to USPS could increase costs for states and make it impossible for election mail to be delivered in time.\nThe Postal Banking Act would strengthen the Postal Service by establishing a nonprofit bank offering low-cost checking and savings accounts, ATMs, mobile banking, and low-interest loans. According to a report from the USPS Inspector General, this proposal would create $9 billion in revenue for the Postal Service each year. The postal bank would provide financial services to Americans who have been economically devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Predatory financial services such as prepaid debit cards, rent-to-own stores, and overdraft fees, often exploit the most vulnerable populations  including low income households, rural communities, veterans and families of active duty personnel  especially in times of economic crisis. Instead of turning to these predatory services, families would gain access to traditional basic banking services and safe financial alternatives through the postal bank.\nThe legislation has been endorsed by Alliance for Retired Americans, American Family Voices, Americans for Financial Reform, Center for Popular Democracy, Color of Change, Family Farm Defenders, Farm Aid, Indivisible, Mainers for Accountable Leadership, MoveOn, NAACP, NETWORK Lobby Catholics for Social Justice, Our Revolution, Paragon Florida, People's Action, Public Citizen, Social Security Works, Stand By Your Mail: The People's Postal Rescue Campaign, Take on Wall Street, and Working Families Party.\nWatch the video on Facebook here.\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-welch-introduce-bill-to-give-states-greater-control-over-reactor-shutdown-plans/", "Sanders, Welch Introduce Bill to Give States Greater Control Over Reactor Shutdown Plans", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2020 today, which gives states a meaningful role in the development and approval of reactor shutdown plans and post-shutdown license transfers. The legislation is co-led in the Senate by Sen. Duckworth (D-Ill.), Sen. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sen. Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and cosponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Sen. Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. King (I-Me.), Sen. Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Engel (D-N.Y.) in the U.S. House.\nCommunities experiencing the safety and economic impacts of nuclear plant decommissioning deserve dedicated economic relief and a role in shaping those decommissioning plans for nuclear reactors near them, especially in light of the coronavirus and climate change crises, Sanders said. This input is especially critical given the potential for non-operational plants to sit for decades before removal and decontamination. The Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2020 would transform a process that is weighted almost entirely toward the power plant licensees into one that strikes a reasonable balance between licensees and the impacted communities.\nVermonters know first-hand that decommissioning a nuclear power plant has enormous economic and environmental impacts on states and neighboring communities, said Welch. It is essential that state and local leaders have a seat at the table throughout the decommissioning process. This commonsense legislation ensures the decommissioning process is transparent, inclusive and collaborative.\nThe Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon was shuttered at the end of 2014 and ownership of the decommissioned plant was transferred in 2019. This bill would give affected states like Vermont an opportunity to weigh in on the new shutdown plan if there is a license transfer or other significant change to the decommissioning plan. Sanders and Welch first introduced an early version of the Nuclear Decommissioning Act in 2014, shortly after the closure of Vermont Yankee was announced.\nThe measure would also create several new grant programs to foster communication and information exchange between licensees and communities impacted by plant decommissioning and stranded nuclear waste, and to provide economic assistance to impacted communities.\nThe closure of Vermont Yankee has shown us how much local communities have at stake, in both the short and long term, when a plant shuts down, and also the great value that local leaders and citizens can offer at every step of the decommissioning process, said Leahy. This legislation brings the benefits of those lessons to provide host communities across the United States a seat at the table.\nAffected communities and state officials and should be able to have a meaningful role in the process of decommissioning nuclear power plants. The Nuclear Decommissioning Act would provide necessary transparency, public involvement and resources to those affected by nuclear plant decommissioningincluding communities near Pilgrim, Yankee Rowe, and Vermont Yankee in Massachusetts, Markey said. I strongly support this legislation, which would give the Commonwealth a say in the decommissioning process and ensure that surrounding communities receive the federal funding they need to address the economic and social impacts posed by the closure of these plants and the presence of stranded nuclear waste.\nThe legislation would require licensees to consult with the host state as well as state governments within 50 miles of the plant when drafting a proposed decommissioning plan, as well as require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to solicit public input on the proposed decommissioning plan. The NRC would have to evaluate and formally adopt or reject the input of the affected states.\nIf a host state supports the proposed plan or license transfer, the licensee can secure expedited NRC approval. Otherwise, the NRC must consider amending the proposed plan based on the host state's recommendations.\nTo read a one page summary of the bill, click here.\nTo read a section by section outline of the bill, click here.\nTo read the full text of the bill, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-schumer-call-for-special-committee-to-ensure-election-security", "Sanders, Schumer Call for Special Committee to Ensure Election Security", "2020-09-16", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Schumer Call for Special Committee to Ensure Election Security\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, September 16, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTONIn response to the disturbing rise in attacks on the fundamental security and legitimacy of our elections, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) requesting the formation of a specialbipartisancommittee to hear testimony from state and local officials, election experts, and others to reassure the American people that the election will go smoothly and reliably. \"Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than the integrity of our elections, Senators Schumer and Sanders wrote. Sadly, there are some who are systematically undermining public confidence in the voting process, and irresponsibly fanning suspicions and conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of election results.    \"With the election less than two months away the Senate should immediately establish a specialbipartisancommittee, with equal representation from both parties, thesenators continued.\"The function of that committee must be to hold hearings about what is being done around the country to make certain that our public institutions are prepared to conduct a smooth and reliable election which will be free from voter suppression and intimidation, that every vote will be counted and that there will be confidence in the ultimate outcome.\" The full lettercan be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-schumer-call-for-special-committee-to-ensure-election-security/", "Sanders, Schumer Call for Special Committee to Ensure Election Security", "2020-09-16", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  In response to the disturbing rise in attacks on the fundamental security and legitimacy of our elections, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) requesting the formation of a special bipartisan committee to hear testimony from state and local officials, election experts, and others to reassure the American people that the election will go smoothly and reliably.\nNothing is more fundamental to our democracy than the integrity of our elections, Senators Schumer and Sanders wrote. Sadly, there are some who are systematically undermining public confidence in the voting process, and irresponsibly fanning suspicions and conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of election results.\nWith the election less than two months away the Senate should immediately establish a special bipartisan committee, with equal representation from both parties, the senators continued. The function of that committee must be to hold hearings about what is being done around the country to make certain that our public institutions are prepared to conduct a smooth and reliable election which will be free from voter suppression and intimidation, that every vote will be counted and that there will be confidence in the ultimate outcome.\nNothing is more fundamental to our democracy than the integrity of our elections, Senators Schumer and Sanders wrote. Sadly, there are some who are systematically undermining public confidence in the voting process, and irresponsibly fanning suspicions and conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of election results.\nWith the election less than two months away the Senate should immediately establish a specialbipartisancommittee, with equal representation from both parties, thesenators continued.The function of that committee must be to hold hearings about what is being done around the country to make certain that our public institutions are prepared to conduct a smooth and reliable election which will be free from voter suppression and intimidation, that every vote will be counted and that there will be confidence in the ultimate outcome.\nThe full letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/floor-speech-on-the-republican-skinny-relief-bill", "Floor Speech on the Republican \"Skinny\" Relief Bill", "2020-09-10", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Floor Speech on the Republican \"Skinny\" Relief Bill\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, September 10, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t Statement on the Republican Skinny Relief Bill \r\n\r\nMr. President: Today, as a result of the horrific pandemic and economic meltdown, the American working-class is hurting like they have never hurt before.\r\nTens of millions of our fellow citizens have lost their jobs. They have lost their incomes. They have lost their health insurance. They have depleted their life savings. They cannot afford to pay the rent. They cannot afford to put food on the table. And they are scared to death that any day now they will get a knock on the door from the sheriff evicting them from their homes and throwing them and their belongings out on the street.\r\nMr. President. This is the United States of America, the richest country in the history of the world. No one should be going hungry. No one should have to live in fear of becoming homeless. No one should be denied the health care that they need, especially during the worst public health crisis in over a hundred years.\r\nBut that is precisely what is going on all over America as we speak.\r\nJust the other day, National Public Radio released a survey on the unprecedented economic suffering facing the American people that should shock everyone in the United States Senate into action.\r\nAnd here is what that survey found:\r\n46 percent of Americans  over 150 million people  are now experiencing serious financial problems.\r\n41 percent of Americans  over 134 million people - have used up all or most of their savings.\r\n33 percent of American families have had someone in their household who has either lost a job, lost a business or has been furloughed during the pandemic.\r\nMr. President. This is an unprecedented moment in American history and the Senate needs to take unprecedented action now to improve the lives of the American people.\r\nAnd yet, in the midst of all of this pain, what has the Republican Senate done over the last 5 months to address the economic suffering of the American people? Nothing, except pass a $740 billion budget for the bloated Pentagon and take an extended vacation.\r\nAnd now that the Senate is back in session, Senate Republicans have introduced a so-called skinny relief bill that is totally inadequate in terms of addressing the crisis that we are facing today.\r\nThe Senate Republican bill provides nothing for rent, nothing for mortgages, nothing for food, nothing for hazard pay, nothing for healthcare, nothing for public transportation, and nothing to prevent the mass layoffs of teachers, nurses, firefighters and construction workers.\r\nIn other words, the same Republicans who had no problem voting for a trillion dollar tax break to the top one percent and large corporations two years ago, are now telling 40 million Americans who are struggling to pay for housing that we cannot afford to help them pay their rent or their mortgage.\r\nThe same Republicans who just voted to provide $740 billion for the bloated Pentagon and military industrial complex to wage endless wars, are now telling 30 million workers who lost their jobs that we cannot afford to continue the $600 a week supplement they were receiving in unemployment benefits.\r\nThe same Republicans who slipped a $135 billion tax break for multi-millionaires and billionaires into the last coronavirus relief package, are now telling 29 million Americans who do not have enough food to eat that we cannot afford to help them feed their families.\r\nBut Mr. President, if you are an executive in the coal industry, you are in luck. The Republican Senate bill provides your industry with $161 million in corporate welfare.\r\nThat's right. The Republican Senate bill provides no money for working families. No money to feed the hungry. No money to house the homeless. No money to insure the uninsured - no money for them. But it does provide $161 million in corporate welfare for the coal industry during a climate emergency.\r\nWell, Mr. President. That may make sense to the CEOs in the fossil fuel industry who are destroying the planet, but it makes zero sense to me.\r\nFurther, under the Senate Republican bill, if you are a rich business owner who forces employees to work in an unsafe and unhealthy workplace, you are rewarded. The Republican bill will provide you with the immunity you need from lawsuits if your workers get sick or die from the coronavirus. But if you are an essential worker during this pandemic, you get nothing. The Republican bill does not provide a nickel more for hazard pay or the personal protective equipment that you need and deserve.\r\nNeedless to say, I am strongly opposed to the Senate Republican bill and I am glad that it was defeated earlier today. Mr. President, instead of listening to the needs of fossil fuel CEOs, we need to listen to the needs of working-class Americans.\r\nInstead of providing more corporate welfare to billionaires and large corporations, we need to provide more economic relief to the tens of millions of Americans who are hurting economically.\r\nMr. President, nearly 4 months ago, the House of Representatives did its job by passing the HEROES Act - a $3.5 trillion bill. In my view, the Senate has got to stand up and do its job and pass a bill that is just as good if not better than what the House did.\r\nNow, Mr. President, I have received, many thousands of letters, emails and social media responses from my constituents in Vermont and all over this country about how the economic crisis has negatively impacted their lives and what the $600 a week in unemployment benefits that expired in July meant to them.\r\nLet me read to you just a few of the many thousands of stories my office has received:\r\nA constituent from North Chittenden, Vermont wrote:\r\nI was laid off in March. Since the end of the extra $600 I've been able to eat because of the food bank. I wasn't able to get one of my prescriptions because even with insurance it was $88. I saved as much as I could during the extra $600 period but I'm almost out of money now. Literally enough to make it about 10 days. Then what? I'm 65.\r\nAn unemployed worker wrote: We can't pay our rent including car payment and car insurance, bills, feed our four kids or buy necessities. We desperately need the extra $600 to stay afloat. If we don't get our money soon, we could lose EVERYTHING!!!\r\nAnother unemployed worker recently wrote: My state benefit was $127/week (I exhausted my available state funds last week). My rent is $1,200 a month. Without further congressional action I will be unhoused within a month or two.\r\nA constituent from Danville, Vermont wrote:\r\nThat moment the government stopped the $600 a week they closed my benefits. I never saw anything other than that $600 and it went to bills and rent. Now I'm behind on everything again.\r\nAnd on and on it goes.\r\nClearly, in the midst of this unprecedented crisis the Senate must act and act NOW. Not with a skinny relief bill that does virtually nothing to help working families in their time of need. But with legislation that responds to the unprecedented economic pain and suffering that the American working class is experiencing.\r\nWe need to extend the extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits for the 30 million Americans who have lost their jobs  like the House passed over 3 months ago. This is absolutely essential. It would give families, during this crisis, the income they need to live with dignity.\r\nWe need to make sure that every working-class person in America receives $2,000 a month until this crisis is over so that they can pay the rent and put food on the table.\r\nWe need to expand Medicare to all of the 92 million Americans who are uninsured or under-insured.\r\nIn other words, we need a coronavirus relief bill that benefits the working class and the poor, not the wealthy and the well-connected.\r\nNow, I know what my Republican colleagues will say: That's too expensive. We can't afford it.\r\nWell, maybe, just maybe, if my Republican colleagues were so concerned about the deficit, they may want to ask their billionaire campaign contributors to pay more in taxes, instead of giving them massive tax breaks.\r\nMr. President, in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and the worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years, I think most Americans would be shocked to learn that 467 billionaires in our country have seen their wealth go up by $800 billion.\r\nLet me repeat that. 467 billionaires have seen their wealth go up by $800 billion during the pandemic.\r\nIn my view, at a time of massive wealth and income inequality, when so many our people are hurting, it is morally obscene for billionaires to use a global pandemic as an opportunity to make outrageous profits.\r\nInstead of more austerity for the working class and the poor, we need to impose austerity on the billionaire class and Wall Street.\r\nAnd that is why, Mr. President, I have introduced legislation to tax the obscene wealth gains billionaires have made during the public health crisis. According to Americans for Tax Fairness, if we taxed 60 percent of the windfall gains billionaires made during the pandemic we could raise over $420 billion. That's enough revenue to allow Medicare to pay all of the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for everyone in America over the next 12 months. Yes, Mr. President, by taxing 60 percent of the wealth gains made by just 467 billionaires during this horrific pandemic, we could guarantee healthcare as a right for an entire year. And billionaires would still be able to pocket more than $310 billion in wealth gains during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. At a time of enormous economic pain and suffering, we have a choice to make. We can continue to allow the very rich to get much richer while everyone else gets poorer and poorer. Or we can tax the winnings a handful of billionaires made during the pandemic to improve the health and well-being of tens of millions of Americans. Mr. President, it is time for the Senate to act on behalf of the working class who are hurting like they have never hurt before, not the billionaire class who are doing phenomenally well and have never had it so good.\r\n\r\nYou can read the prepared remarkshere.\r\nYou can watch the floor speechhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/pass-the-relief-our-people-neednow", "Pass The Relief Our People NeedNow", "2020-09-10", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pass The Relief Our People NeedNow \n            Instead of providing more corporate welfare to billionaires and large corporations, we need to provide more financial relief to the tens of millions of Americans who are hurting like they have never hurt before.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-presses-health-officials-on-vaccine-availability", "Sanders Presses Health Officials on Vaccine Availability", "2020-09-09", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Presses Health Officials on Vaccine Availability\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, September 9, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t By:WCAX News Team;WCAX \r\n\r\nVermont Senator Bernie Sanders Wednesday pressed federal health officials on whether Americans will have to pay for a vaccine once one has been approved by the FDA.\r\nThe Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions heard from advisers to the president's coronavirus response, including National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams.\r\nIn response to a question from Sanders on the cost of a future vaccine, both said that cost would not be a barrier\r\nThis is something I'm gonna be working very hard on. Other senators will as well. Will you join us in the effort to make sure that this vaccine will be distributed free of charge to all Americans? Sanders asked U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams.\r\nI want to give you a very direct answer. Yes. As surgeon general of the United States, I promise you we will use every federal tool that we have to make sure that cost is not an obstacle for people to receive the vaccine that is likely the most anticipated of our time, Adams responded.\r\nBoth Adams and Collins also stressed that safety will not be compromised by the vaccine's accelerated timeline. They say if it doesn't work or isn't safe, it won't be used and any doses that have been produced will be destroyed.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/vermont-pride-week-perseveres-through-pandemic", "Vermont Pride Week Perseveres Through Pandemic", "2020-09-08", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vermont Pride Week Perseveres Through Pandemic\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By: Kayla Martin \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tTuesday, September 8, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMonday kicked off the start of Pride Week in Vermont. The Pride Center Vermont, the organizers of the annual event, says the week is all about feeling heard, feeling seen, and coming together, and they wanted to make sure that the pandemic didn't silence them.\r\nPride week will certainly look a lot different than it has in years past, but there is still fun to be had. Festivities range from a Women's Trivia Night Tuesday to a Rural Queer Crafternoon Wednesday and a live, drive-in drag show at a local theater.\r\nThe Pride Center's Justin Marsh says the event is especially important this year because of feelings of isolation brought on by the Coronavirus. You can't cancel pride, so we knew we had to do something, and we to come together as a community, and so it's, it's really nice to still find ways that we can all connect, he said.\r\nRichard Elliott, whose drag name is Rhedd Rhumm, says the idea is to have a platform that enables everyone to leave their worries at the door. I want you to escape from whatever it is that you have to escape from for that 4 to 5 minutes. Because it is such a therapeutic thing to be able to watch somebody, just be enamored by them, smile, laugh, forget about the worries of the world, Elliott said.\r\nTaking the pandemic and safety precautions into consideration,Pride Week will consist of a combination of virtual and in-person events.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/senators-tell-trump-administration-to-stop-forcing-payroll-tax-deferral-on-federal-workers", "Senators tell Trump administration to stop forcing payroll tax deferral on federal workers", "2020-09-08", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Top Senators urged the Trump administration on Tuesday to halt its plans to implement a mandatory payroll tax deferral for millions of federal employees, arguing that these workers should not be treated as political pawns.\r\n\r\nThe issue stems from an order issued by President Trump in August, which allows participating employers to cease withholding their workers' payroll taxes until the end of the year. Private-sector employees may be able to opt out of the plan, but federal workersdo not appear to have a choice meaning they will see a slight boost to their pay now,then owe morein 2021.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe forced nature of the president's order drew frustration from about two dozen lawmakers led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who called it a payroll tax scheme and demanded answers in a sharply critical letter sent to the Treasury Department and the Office of Management and Budget, which are overseeing the deferral's implementation.\r\n\r\nWe urge you to let federal workers and uniformed service members choose whether to defer their payroll tax obligations  rather than forcing them to participate, Van Hollen wrote, along with Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and 19 other lawmakers, all of whom are Democrats.\r\n\r\nWhile some federal employees may want to defer their payroll tax payments, the lawmakers continued, unions representing federal workers have made clear that many others do not.\r\n\r\nSpokespeople for the two federal agencies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.\r\n\r\nThe bipartisan rebuke is only the latest against Trump's payroll tax order, one of a series of actions he announced in August to circumvent a congressional stalemate over another round ofcoronavirusaid. In signing the directive, Trump promised he would boost workers' take-home pay and pledged hewould terminate the taxesAmericans accrue over the next four months so that they don't have to repay them in January.\r\n\r\nWeeks later, however, the president's vision appears to be in tatters. A wide swath of companies have signaled they may not implement Trump's order, threatening to undermine the White House's attempts to stimulate the economy. Trump's aim to absolve Americans' tax debts, meanwhile, has garnered little meaningful support among the lawmakers who would have to approve such a law.\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, the federal government has forged ahead with its own plans to implement the president's deferral for millions of federal workers. Official guidance sent to these employees in recent days has indicated they are unable to opt out of the program.\r\n\r\nThe approach has drawn opposition from unions, one of which urged Congress this month to block the government from imposing Trump's order as part of its next bill funding federal operations. Democratic lawmakers are planning to pursue that in any continuing resolution, Van Hollen said in an interview Tuesday.\r\n\r\nThe Defense Department's military and civilian employees are subject to the deferral, a payroll processor for the Pentagon confirmed over the weekend. In doing so, it specified in bold, italicized, underlined guidance posted online that they are not eligible to opt out of the deferral.\r\n\r\n\r\nLawmakers, including Van Hollen, said Trump had sought to sow mass confusion about a tax deferral that eventually must be repaid. The president wants them to believe they got this bonus, he said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/democrats-sound-alarm-on-possible-election-chaos", "Democrats Sound Alarm on Possible Election Chaos", "2020-09-07", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "Senate", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democrats Sound Alarm on Possible Election Chaos\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By: Max Greenwood \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, September 7, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tDemocrats are bracing for potential chaos on Election Day, fearing that the combined force ofPresident Trump's warnings of voter fraud and the expected influx of absentee ballots will lead to a bitter and protracted fight over the election's results.\r\nThe party has been concerned for months about Trump's efforts to sow doubt in mail-in and absentee voting amid the coronavirus pandemic. But two developments this week renewed and worsened those fears.\r\nA top Democratic digital firm warned of a potential red mirage on Election Night, in which in-person vote tallies show Trump in the lead until mail-in ballots counted after Nov. 3 swing the race in the direction of former Vice PresidentJoe Biden.\r\nAnd on Wednesday, Trump suggested that supporters attempt to vote twice by mail and in person to test the ability of election systems to detect fraud, prompting an outcry from state officials who warned that casting more than one ballot is illegal.\r\nTaken together, the concerns add up to what Democrats fear will be an election mired in confusion and potential uncertainty.\r\nI don't think people have fully grasped how difficult and challenging the Trump campaign is going to try to make the administration of this election, Guy Cecil, the chair of the largest Democratic super PAC, Priorities USA, told reporters in a video briefing this week.\r\nDemocratic operatives and officials in some battleground states are already taking steps to reassure voters that their election systems are up to expectations.\r\nAfter Trump suggested this week that his supporters try to cast two ballots, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released a statement emphasizing that the state's election system has already been stress-tested and includes protections to ensure that each person gets only one vote.\r\nNorth Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, called Trump's remarks on voting troubling, accusing him of trying to undermine people's faith in the integrity of our elections.\r\nThere are also fears among Democrats that Trump may try to call the vote count itself into question, given the expected surge in mail voting this year and the possibility that many ballots may not be counted on Election Day.\r\nMore Democrats are expected to cast their ballots by mail this year than Republicans, given concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and Trump's previous claims that mail-in voting is rife with fraud. A Quinnipiac University pollreleased this weekunderscored the difference between voters, with 51 percent of Democrats saying they plan to vote by mail and 64 percent of Republicans saying they will vote in person.\r\nIn an interview this week with Axios on HBO, Josh Mendelsohn, the CEO of the Democratic data and analytics firm Hawkfish, warned of a situation in which the vote count on election night could show a massive victory for Trump. But after mail-in and absentee votes are counted, he said, it will show that Trump's election night lead was a mirage.\r\n\"We are sounding an alarm and saying that this is a very real possibility, that the data is going to show on election night an incredible victory for Donald Trump,\" Mendelsohntold Axios.\r\nWhen every legitimate vote is tallied and we get to that final day, which will be some day after Election Day, it will in fact show that what happened on election night was exactly that, a mirage,\" Mendelsohn said. \"It looked like Donald Trump was in the lead and he fundamentally was not when every ballot gets counted.\"\r\nA pollreleased this weekby The Guardian and Opinium Research underscored the extent of Democrats' fears that Trump could refuse to accept the outcome of the November election if it's not in his favor.\r\nThree in four respondents who support Biden in the presidential race said they are worried about the possibility of Trump rejecting the election results, compared to only 30 percent of Trump's supporters, the poll found.\r\nThea McDonald, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said that the president is fighting for a free, fair, transparent election in which every valid ballots counts  once, and accused Democrats of trying to create a pretext for rejecting the election results themselves.\r\nRather than peddling conspiracy theories and paving the way for Joe Biden to refuse to accept the results when President Trump wins, just asHillary Clintondid four years ago, Democrats ought to take responsibility for their attempts to throw our electoral system into chaos 60 days out from Election Day, McDonald said in a statement to The Hill.\r\nDemocrats say that Trump has already laid the groundwork for questioning the election's legitimacy, pointing to his rhetoric around the gubernatorial and Senate elections in Florida in 2018.\r\nThat year, the Election Day vote count showed Republicans Rick Scott andRon DeSantisleading their Democratic opponents. But the results narrowed in the days that followed as more absentee ballots were counted, prompting Trump to cry foul play and demand that the races be called based on the Election Day vote.\r\nThe Florida Election should be called in favor of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in that large numbers of new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged, Trump tweeted. An honest vote count is no longer possible-ballots massively infected. Must go with Election Night!\r\nUltimately, Scott defeated former Sen.Bill Nelson(D-Fla.) by about 10,000 votes, while DeSantis beat Democrat Andrew Gillum in the governor's race by roughly 32,000 votes.\r\nThe 2020 presidential race is also shaping up to be a close one. Several public polls released this week showed Biden with a sizable national lead over Trump. But the margins separating the two candidates in key battleground states are tightening.\r\nA Quinnipiac Universitysurvey of Florida, for instance, placed Biden only 3 points ahead of Trump. In Pennsylvania,a Monmouth University pollshowed the former vice president with a scant 4-point lead. And in North Carolina,another Monmouth pollput them within 2 points of one another.\r\nEverybody's asking me: Do you trust the polls, do you feel confident about Biden's chances?' \" one veteran Democratic operative in Florida said. I keep saying, yes, I trust the polls. What I don't trust is the president.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/bernie-sanders-tells-mcconnell-to-stop-worrying-about-billionaire-donors-pass-stimulus-act", "Bernie Sanders Tells McConnell to 'Stop Worrying' About Billionaire Donors, Pass Stimulus Act", "2020-09-07", "2020", "2020-09", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bernie Sanders Tells McConnell to 'Stop Worrying' About Billionaire Donors, Pass Stimulus Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, September 7, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t By: James Walker;Newsweek \r\n\r\nSenator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to \"stop worrying\" about \"billionaire campaign contributors\" and allow the upper chamber to pass the $3 trillion HEROES Act relief bill.\r\nThe former Democratic primary candidate called on the top Republican lawmaker to \"respond to the needs of working families\" and permit a vote on the bailout fund that passed the House in May this year.\r\nSanders issued his rebuke of the Senate majority leader as talks over the details of the next coronavirus stimulus package continued to stall.\r\n\"Today, I say to Mitch McConnell: Do your job. Let us pass the HEROES Act or legislation that is even better. But, for once in your life, stop worrying about your billionaire campaign contributors, and respond to the needs of working families.\"\r\n Why it Matters \r\nNegotiations over the next stimulus package have made little headway over the past month as GOP lawmakers, the Trump administration and top Democrats have remained split on the size of the next bailout fund.\r\nThe Democratic-led House passed the $3.4 trillion HEROES Act in May, but the bill has not yet been voted on in the GOP-controlled Senate as Republican lawmakerseye a smaller fundcapped at no more than $1 trillion.\r\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have signaled that they are both still willing to thrash out a deal, but still appeared to be divided on the scale of the intervention needed to buoy U.S. households and the economy.\r\nReleasing a statement after a phone call with Mnuchin last week, Pelosi said: \"Sadly, this phone call made clear that Democrats and the White House continue to have serious differences understanding the gravity of the situation that America's working families are facing.\"\r\nThe speaker has indicated that her side would be willing to negotiate down the size of the HEROES Act to $2.2 trillion.\r\nAppearing onFox News Sundayyesterday, Mnuchin said talks were stuck on the topline sum and certain policy issues.\r\n\"The speaker has refused to sit down and negotiate unless we agree to something like a $2.5 trillion deal in advance. We put $3 trillion into the economy when the economy was completely shut down, we've now reopened the economy,\" he said.\r\n\"Let's do a more targeted bill now and if we need to do more in 30 days we'll continue to do more. But let's not hold up the American workers and American businesses that need more support.\"\r\n Counterpoint \r\nWhile Sen. Sanders has laid blame for stalled relief at McConnell's door, the Senate majority leader has argued thatpartisan splitsin the run up to election day are obstructing any deal.\r\n\"We haven't reached an agreement, and I don't know if that's going to be possible with all of the partisan juices flowing like they are some two months from the election,\" he said last week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/3squaresvt-can-help-your-family-put-food-on-the-table", "3SquaresVT Can Help Your Family Put Food on the Table", "2020-08-31", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "3SquaresVT Can Help Your Family Put Food on the Table \n            Many Vermonters struggle to put food on the table.  That has been especially true since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known in Vermont as 3SquaresVT, is the number one way Vermont families can get food help. The best part is, signing up doesn't take benefits away from others and doing so helps the local economy.  Vermonters can learn more about the program and apply by contacting 2-1-1 or visiting https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/we-must-end-the-horrors-of-systemic-racism-and-police-brutality", "We Must End the Horrors of Systemic Racism and Police Brutality", "2020-08-28", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We Must End the Horrors of Systemic Racism and Police Brutality \n            Vermonters: Racism exists here. Full stop. It is incumbent upon each of us to educate ourselves and actively work to create anti-racist communities. I thank each and every Vermonter who has shared their experience and who is doing the necessary work to truly make Vermont a welcoming place for all. \nThe brutal shooting of Jacob Blake and the continued protests occurring in every corner of our country, including in Vermont, is a clear call for action. I stand with all who are demanding justice and an end to the horrors of systemic racism and police brutality. Congress must work to end the horrific violence perpetrated at alarming rates against Black Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/we-must-pass-the-john-lewis-voting-rights-act", "We Must Pass The John Lewis Voting Rights Act", "2020-08-26", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We Must Pass The John Lewis Voting Rights Act \n            One hundred years ago, women fought for the right to vote, and won. Today, as we celebrate this important milestone, we also recognize that women of color were intentionally excluded from this victory, despite their heroic efforts to help achieve it. \n \nThis centennial is a reminder that we must redouble our efforts to fight voter suppression that silences far too many voices in our democracy, make election day a national holiday, and ensure everyone who wants to can vote by mail. And we must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to finally guarantee the right to vote to all.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/if-you-lose-youre-leaving-office-period", "If You Lose, You're Leaving Office. Period.", "2020-08-25", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "If You Lose, You're Leaving Office. Period. \n            What President Trump is saying is, \"I cannot lose this election. If I win, great. If I lose, it's rigged.\nThis is a major effort to undermine our democracy and our election system.\nWe have got to make it clear to Donald Trump: If you lose, you're leaving office. Period.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-and-other-top-democrats-demand-usps-board-reverse-chiefs-policy-changes", "Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Other Top Democrats Demand USPS Board Reverse Chiefs Policy Changes", "2020-08-17", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Other Top Democrats Demand Usps Board Reverse Chief's Policy Changes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t By:  Kevin Breuninger; CNBC \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, August 17, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tLeading Democratic senators called for the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors on Monday to reverse sweeping operational changes implemented by new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy  and remove him if he doesn't comply.\r\nThe cost-cutting measures put in place by DeJoy, a major donor to Republicans and committees supporting PresidentDonald Trump's reelection, have been blamed for reports of widespread mail delays. They are also raising fears about the Post Office's ability to handle an expected flood of mail-in ballots in the November election.\r\nDemocrats have wondered aloud whether the changes are a political tactic to undermine USPS, a federal agency, in ways that could impact ballot-counting in the November race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.\r\nMr. DeJoy appears to be engaged in a partisan effort, with the support of President Trump, to delay and degrade mail service and undermine the mission of the United States Postal Service, said seven senators, led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York,in a letter to the USPS Board of Governors.\r\nThe request ishardly the first entreaty from Congress to reverse DeJoy's overhaul of the Post Office. Members of both parties have called on the postmaster general to reel in his new policies, which reportedly include major cuts in overtime and crackdowns on making late trips to deliver mail.\r\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.,said Sunday she is calling the House back from summer recessin order to vote on House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney'sbillto block DeJoy's changes from taking effectuntil the coronavirus pandemic has ended.\r\nTrump, an aggressive critic of mail-in voting, denied that he is encouraging DeJoy to slow down the mail. I have encouraged everybody, speed up the mail,' he told reporters outside the White House on Monday morning.\r\nDeJoy said this month the USPS has ample capacity to handle election mail.\r\nBut the senators wrote that DeJoy has rapidly taken numerous actions that threaten the service and integrity of the Postal Service.\r\nMr. DeJoy's short tenure has endangered millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service to keep in touch with their friends and family, obtain prescription drugs and other daily needs, and access their Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and other benefits, they wrote. And his efforts threaten the ability of Americans to vote in the 2020 elections.\r\nA spokesman for the USPS did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.\r\nThe group of senators, which also includes Vermont's Bernie Sanders, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Gary Peters of Michigan, and Minnesota's Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, told the board they have the authority and responsibility to act.\r\nShould he not cooperate with these efforts, you have the authority, under the Postal Reorganization Act, to remove the Postmaster General,' with a favorable vote of an absolute majority of the Governors in office,' the letter said.\r\nWarren doubled down on that point in a tweet later Monday. The Postal Service Board of Governors should use their authority to reverse DeJoy's changes that sabotage USPS operations  and remove DeJoy as Postmaster General if he doesn't cooperate, she wrote.\r\nThe letter was sent to six members of the board, all of whom were appointed by Trump.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-and-other-top-democrats-demand-usps-board-reverse-chiefs-policy-changes", "Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Other Top Democrats Demand USPS Board Reverse Chiefs Policy Changes", "2020-08-17", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Other Top Democrats Demand USPS Board Reverse Chief's Policy Changes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMonday, August 17, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t By:Kevin Breuninger;CNBC \r\n\r\nLeading Democratic senators called for the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors on Monday to reverse sweeping operational changes implemented by new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy  and remove him if he doesn't comply.\r\nThe cost-cutting measures put in place by DeJoy, a major donor to Republicans and committees supporting PresidentDonald Trump's reelection, have been blamed for reports of widespread mail delays. They are also raising fears about the Post Office's ability to handle an expected flood of mail-in ballots in the November election.\r\nDemocrats have wondered aloud whether the changes are a political tactic to undermine USPS, a federal agency, in ways that could impact ballot-counting in the November race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.\r\nMr. DeJoy appears to be engaged in a partisan effort, with the support of President Trump, to delay and degrade mail service and undermine the mission of the United States Postal Service, said seven senators, led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York,in a letter to the USPS Board of Governors.\r\nThe request ishardly the first entreaty from Congress to reverse DeJoy's overhaul of the Post Office. Members of both parties have called on the postmaster general to reel in his new policies, which reportedly include major cuts in overtime and crackdowns on making late trips to deliver mail.\r\nHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.,said Sunday she is calling the House back from summer recessin order to vote on House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney'sbillto block DeJoy's changes from taking effectuntil the coronavirus pandemic has ended.\r\nTrump, an aggressive critic of mail-in voting, denied that he is encouraging DeJoy to slow down the mail. I have encouraged everybody, speed up the mail,' he told reporters outside the White House on Monday morning.\r\nDeJoy said this month the USPS has ample capacity to handle election mail.\r\nBut the senators wrote that DeJoy has rapidly taken numerous actions that threaten the service and integrity of the Postal Service.\r\nMr. DeJoy's short tenure has endangered millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service to keep in touch with their friends and family, obtain prescription drugs and other daily needs, and access their Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and other benefits, they wrote. And his efforts threaten the ability of Americans to vote in the 2020 elections.\r\nA spokesman for the USPS did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.\r\nThe group of senators, which also includes Vermont's Bernie Sanders, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Gary Peters of Michigan, and Minnesota's Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, told the board they have the authority and responsibility to act.\r\nShould he not cooperate with these efforts, you have the authority, under the Postal Reorganization Act, to remove the Postmaster General,' with a favorable vote of an absolute majority of the Governors in office,' the letter said.\r\nWarren doubled down on that point in a tweet later Monday. The Postal Service Board of Governors should use their authority to reverse DeJoy's changes that sabotage USPS operations  and remove DeJoy as Postmaster General if he doesn't cooperate, she wrote.\r\nThe letter was sent to six members of the board, all of whom were appointed by Trump.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/the-american-people-are-hurting", "The American People Are Hurting", "2020-08-15", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The American People Are Hurting \n            The American people are hurting. Millions are unemployed and cannot pay their rent or put food on the table.\n \nI shouldn't have to say this, but here's a message to President Trump, Senator McConnell and my Republican colleagues: the American people desperately needed you to act months ago, before critical assistance lapsed. They cannot wait until September. Perhaps you should actually listen to the countless stories of those who are struggling in every corner of our country. But maybe you just don't give a damn.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/vermont-summer-meals-are-still-available", "Vermont Summer Meals Are Still Available", "2020-08-14", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vermont Summer Meals Are Still Available \n            When Vermont schools closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, school meal programs quickly transitioned to finding new ways of providing free meals to children 18 and under.  In summer months, free and nutritious meals are still available at hundreds of locations throughout Vermont, thanks to the federally-funded Vermont Summer Meals Program. For information on times and locations of meal program sites near you, text FOOD to 877877 or call 2-1-1.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/we-must-stand-with-the-gwichin-nation", "We Must Stand With The Gwich'in Nation", "2020-08-14", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We Must Stand With The Gwich'in Nation \n            It is absurd that instead of demanding the Senate reconvene to pass a bill to provide immediate relief to millions of Americans, the Trump administration is moving forward with oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. \n \nOpening up the refuge is nothing more than a massive handout to the hugely profitable oil and gas companies at the expense of our climate and indigenous peoples. We must stand with the Gwich'in Nation and aggressively transition away from fossil fuels toward sustainable energy like wind and solar.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-larson-call-for-strengthening-social-security-after-gao-study-examines-disability-wait-times", "Sanders, Larson Call for Strengthening Social Security After GAO Study Examines Disability Wait Times", "2020-08-13", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Larson Call for Strengthening Social Security After GAO Study Examines Disability Wait Times\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, August 13, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, August 13  Today,Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-Conn.)responded to new findings from a Government Accountability Office (GAO)studythey commissioned which found that thousands of American die or go bankrupt waiting to receive their disability benefits each year. \"It is absolutely unconscionable that thousands of Americans suffer and die every year waiting for a final decision to get the modest Social Security benefits they need to survive. People with disabilities trying to access their earned benefits are forced to wait years before they even get a hearing,said Sanders.This report shows not only how critical Social Security can be to Americans with disabilities, but how dire the backlog is. Our job now is to stop Trump's latest effort to defund Social Security. We must also increase benefits,make the filing process easier and eliminate these obscene wait lists of people trying, far too often in vain, to access their earned benefits.\" \"On the eve of Social Security's 85thanniversary, people are relying on their Social Security benefits now more than ever. I appreciate GAO's efforts in conducting this study. It is unacceptable that thousands of severely disabled Americans are dying or filing for bankruptcy while waiting for their benefits. I'm proud that the House has passed a FY 2021 Labor-HHS Appropriations package that includes $50 million for the Social Security Administration to continue to reduce these harmful delays. However, Americans are now facing a new threat: President Trump is attempting to defund Social Security, by unilaterally deferring and pledging to terminate' the program's dedicated funding source if re-elected. This is a reprehensible move, especially in the midst of a pandemic. I'm proud to work with Ranking Member Sanders to strengthen the program for all Americans and fight against the Trump Administration's cruel move to undercut Social Security,said Larson. The study, Social Security Disability: Information on Wait Times, Bankruptcies, and Deaths among Applicants Who Appealed Benefit Denials, looked at people who appealed an initial denial of their application for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. It found: More than 100,000 people died without receiving a final decision on their appeal for Social Security or SSI disability benefits, out of approximately 9 million who filed an appeal from Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 to FY 2019. Approximately 50,000 people filed for bankruptcy while appealing for Social Security or SSI disability benefits, out of approximately 3.6 million who filed an appeal from FY 2014 to FY 2019. From FY 2008 to FY 2019, most disability applicants who appealed an initial denial waited more than a year for a final decision. Median wait times reached a peak of 839 days  more than 2 years  for claims filed in FY 2015.  Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is critical to Americans who can no longer work because of a medical condition. Nearly 10 million disabled Americans and their dependents survive on a monthly benefit that averages only$1,124from SSDI. To claim these modest benefits, the U.S. has some of the most stringent eligibility requirements in the world. An American entering the workforce today has about a1 in 4 chanceof becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. Senator Sanders and Representative John Larson have introduced bills that would increase Social Security benefits by making the wealthiest pay their share and have called for an increase in administration funding. In contrast, the Trump Administration has sought to make it harder to qualify for disability benefits and is seeking to divert billions of dollars from the program. Read the reporthere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-larson-call-for-strengthening-social-security-after-gao-study-examines-disability-wait-times/", "Sanders, Larson Call for Strengthening Social Security After GAO Study Examines Disability Wait Times", "2020-08-13", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, August 13  Today,Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-Conn.)responded to new findings from a Government Accountability Office (GAO)studythey commissioned which found that thousands of American die or go bankrupt waiting to receive their disability benefits each year.\nIt is absolutely unconscionable that thousands of Americans suffer and die every year waiting for a final decision to get the modest Social Security benefits they need to survive. People with disabilities trying to access their earned benefits are forced to wait years before they even get a hearing,said Sanders.This report shows not only how critical Social Security can be to Americans with disabilities, but how dire the backlog is. Our job now is to stop Trump's latest effort to defund Social Security. We must also increase benefits,make the filing process easier and eliminate these obscene wait lists of people trying, far too often in vain, to access their earned benefits.\nOn the eve of Social Security's 85thanniversary, people are relying on their Social Security benefits now more than ever. I appreciate GAO's efforts in conducting this study. It is unacceptable that thousands of severely disabled Americans are dying or filing for bankruptcy while waiting for their benefits. I'm proud that the House has passed a FY 2021 Labor-HHS Appropriations package that includes $50 million for the Social Security Administration to continue to reduce these harmful delays. However, Americans are now facing a new threat: President Trump is attempting to defund Social Security, by unilaterally deferring and pledging to terminate' the program's dedicated funding source if re-elected. This is a reprehensible move, especially in the midst of a pandemic. I'm proud to work with Ranking Member Sanders to strengthen the program for all Americans and fight against the Trump Administration's cruel move to undercut Social Security,said Larson.\nThe study, Social Security Disability: Information on Wait Times, Bankruptcies, and Deaths among Applicants Who Appealed Benefit Denials, looked at people who appealed an initial denial of their application for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. It found:\nMore than 100,000 people died without receiving a final decision on their appeal for Social Security or SSI disability benefits, out of approximately 9 million who filed an appeal from Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 to FY 2019.\nApproximately 50,000 people filed for bankruptcy while appealing for Social Security or SSI disability benefits, out of approximately 3.6 million who filed an appeal from FY 2014 to FY 2019.\nFrom FY 2008 to FY 2019, most disability applicants who appealed an initial denial waited more than a year for a final decision. Median wait times reached a peak of 839 days  more than 2 years  for claims filed in FY 2015. \nSocial Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is critical to Americans who can no longer work because of a medical condition. Nearly 10 million disabled Americans and their dependents survive on a monthly benefit that averages only$1,124from SSDI. To claim these modest benefits, the U.S. has some of the most stringent eligibility requirements in the world. An American entering the workforce today has about a1 in 4 chanceof becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.\nSenator Sanders and Representative John Larson have introduced bills that would increase Social Security benefits by making the wealthiest pay their share and have called for an increase in administration funding. In contrast, the Trump Administration has sought to make it harder to qualify for disability benefits and is seeking to divert billions of dollars from the program.\nRead the reporthere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/we-must-protect-the-usps", "We Must Protect the USPS", "2020-08-07", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We Must Protect the USPS \n            If we could bail out large corporations, please do not tell me that we cannot save the Postal Service.\n            \n                \n                    \n                       \t\n        \t\t\t\t\n                        \n                            \n                                \n                                \n                                    \n                                    \n                                    \n                                \n                                \n        \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \n                        \n                        \n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\n                    \n                \n            \n        \t\n            \n            \n            \n                \n                \n                \n                \n                    \n                   \tSee Video on YouTube\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n                    \nCopy Link", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-colleagues-introduce-tax-on-billionaire-wealth-gains-to-provide-health-care-for-all-", "Sanders, Colleagues Introduce Tax on Billionaire Wealth Gains to Provide Health Care for All", "2020-08-06", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders, Colleagues Introduce Tax on Billionaire Wealth Gains to Provide Health Care for All \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThursday, August 6, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, August 6  Today, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced a 60-percent tax on the windfall wealth increases of billionaires during this pandemic in order to pay forall out-of-pocket medical expenses for every person in America for a year. The Make Billionaires Pay Act would tax the $731 billion in wealth accumulated by 467 billionairesthe richest 0.001% of Americaa from March 18th until August 5th, a period in which 5.4 million Americans recently lost their health insurance and 50 million applied for unemployment insurance. The funds from this emergency tax would be used to cover all necessary healthcare expenses of the uninsured and underinsured, including prescription drugs, for one year. \"The legislation I am introducing today willtax theobscene wealth gains billionaires have made during this extraordinary crisis to guarantee healthcare as a right to all for an entire year,said Sanders.\"At a time of enormous economic pain and suffering, we have a fundamental choice to make.We can continue to allow the very rich to get much richer while everyone else gets poorer and poorer. Or we can tax the winnings a handful of billionaires made during the pandemic to improve the health and well-being of tens of millions of Americans. In my view, it is time for the Senate to act on behalf of the working class who are hurting like they have never hurt before, not the billionaire class who are doing phenomenally well and have never had it so good.\" \"As more than 160,000 Americans have lost their lives and millions more have lost their jobs, it is unconscionable that the super-wealthy are getting even richer in the midst of this crisis,\"said Markey.\"Despite overwhelming need, Republicans continue to look for any excuse under the guise of deficit reduction to cut vital support programs like jobless aid and health insurance for the most vulnerable. The American people pay with their lives every day for the criminal negligence of the Trump administration to combat the coronavirus. It is time the country's wealthiest do the same off with their profits.\"\r\nDuring this unprecedented economic and public health crisis, millions of Americans are out of work and struggling to put food on the table while billionaires are getting even wealthier,said Gillibrand.Requiring billionaires to pay their fair share will help support workers and families dealing with job losses, food insecurity, housing instability and health care. Not only is this a common-sense proposal, but it's a moral one and Congress should be doing all we can to assist Americans struggling right now.\r\nAccording to Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies, a tax of 60 percent on the windfall wealth gains among fewer than 500 billionaires from March until August would raise $421.7 billionenough to empower Medicare to pay all of the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for everyone in America over the next 12 months, according to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The wealth tax would remain in effect until January 1, 2021. The Make Billionaires Pay Act would still leave America'sbillionaires with more than $310.1 billion in wealth gains during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. However, under the legislation:  Jeff Bezos, the richest man in America, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$42.8billion.\r\n Elon Musk, whose wealth has nearly tripled during the pandemic, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$27.5billion. Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$22.8billion. The Walton family, the wealthiest family in America, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$12.9billion.As a result of Trump's tax giveaway to the rich, these billionaires currently paya lower effective tax rateon average than teachers or truck drivers. \"Everyone has suffered during the pandemicfrom lost lives, lost jobs, lost chanceseveryone, that is, except America's billionaires,\"said Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness.\"Senator Sanders's bill recognizes that a good chunk of the obscene growth in wealth by the richest Americans during a national emergency should be used to help us all survive and recover.\" \"The Covid-19 crisis further worsens inequality. While the working class struggles with job and income loss, billionaires' wealth has already fully bounced back and sometimes greatly surpassed pre-Covid levels,\"said Emmanuel Saez,Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. So far, the US government has borrowed from the rich to provide relief. It is only fair to also ask for direct contributions from the richest to the Covid-19 relief effort. Senator Sanders'bill takes a bold and innovative step in this direction, paving the way to make billionaires finally pay a fair share of their enormous gains.\" \"As our country faces vast economic and health needs, billionaires continue to display their appetite for greed,\"said Susan Harley, Managing Director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch division. The Make Billionaires Pay Act smartly uses our tax code to take on the co-crises of COVID-19 health care disparities and the gaping income inequalities in our nation.\" \"What makes nations prosperous is not the sanctification of a tiny number of ultra-wealthy individuals; it is investment in health care and education for all,said Gabriel Zucman,Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. With the wealth of billionaires at a record high, their effective tax rate at a record low, and tens of millions of Americans lacking good health care, the Make Billionaires Pay Act is a commonsense piece of legislation  a much-needed step if America is to emerge stronger from this pandemic.\" Read the bill texthere. Read a fact sheet on the legislationhere. See an analysis of the top 467 billionaires' pandemic wealth gains and revenues from Sanders' taxhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-colleagues-introduce-tax-on-billionaire-wealth-gains-to-provide-health-care-for-all/", "Sanders, Colleagues Introduce Tax on Billionaire Wealth Gains to Provide Health Care for All", "2020-08-06", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, August 6  Today, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced a 60-percent tax on the windfall wealth increases of billionaires during this pandemic in order to pay forall out-of-pocket medical expenses for every person in America for a year. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) introduced companion legislation in the House.\nThe Make Billionaires Pay Act would tax the $731 billion in wealth accumulated by 467 billionairesthe richest 0.001% of Americaa from March 18th until August 5th, a period in which 5.4 million Americans recently lost their health insurance and 50 million applied for unemployment insurance. The funds from this emergency tax would be used to cover all necessary healthcare expenses of the uninsured and underinsured, including prescription drugs, for one year.\nThe legislation I am introducing today willtax theobscene wealth gains billionaires have made during this extraordinary crisis to guarantee healthcare as a right to all for an entire year,said Sanders.At a time of enormous economic pain and suffering, we have a fundamental choice to make.We can continue to allow the very rich to get much richer while everyone else gets poorer and poorer. Or we can tax the winnings a handful of billionaires made during the pandemic to improve the health and well-being of tens of millions of Americans. In my view, it is time for the Senate to act on behalf of the working class who are hurting like they have never hurt before, not the billionaire class who are doing phenomenally well and have never had it so good.\nAs more than 160,000 Americans have lost their lives and millions more have lost their jobs, it is unconscionable that the super-wealthy are getting even richer in the midst of this crisis,said Markey.Despite overwhelming need, Republicans continue to look for any excuse under the guise of deficit reduction to cut vital support programs like jobless aid and health insurance for the most vulnerable. The American people pay with their lives every day for the criminal negligence of the Trump administration to combat the coronavirus. It is time the country's wealthiest do the same off with their profits.\nDuring this unprecedented economic and public health crisis, millions of Americans are out of work and struggling to put food on the table while billionaires are getting even wealthier,said Gillibrand.Requiring billionaires to pay their fair share will help support workers and families dealing with job losses, food insecurity, housing instability and health care. Not only is this a common-sense proposal, but it's a moral one and Congress should be doing all we can to assist Americans struggling right now.\nIt is shameful that billionaires profit off the suffering of working families as the pandemic ravages the economy and kills thousands of Americans every day,said Rep. Omar.For far too long, the richest 0.001% of America, have avoided paying their fair share in taxes. This bill will go a long way towards addressing our nation's massive wealth inequality and finally guaranteeing healthcare as a human right. Nothing could be more important in the midst of a global pandemic than ensuring quality healthcare for every American.\nAccording to Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies, a tax of 60 percent on the windfall wealth gains among fewer than 500 billionaires from March until August would raise $421.7 billionenough to empower Medicare to pay all of the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for everyone in America over the next 12 months, according to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The wealth tax would remain in effect until January 1, 2021.\nThe Make Billionaires Pay Act would still leave America'sbillionaires with more than $310.1 billion in wealth gains during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. However, under the legislation:\n Jeff Bezos, the richest man in America, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$42.8billion.\n Elon Musk, whose wealth has nearly tripled during the pandemic, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$27.5billion.\n Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$22.8billion.\n The Walton family, the wealthiest family in America, would pay a one-time wealth tax of$12.9billion.\nAs a result of Trump's tax giveaway to the rich, these billionaires currently paya lower effective tax rateon average than teachers or truck drivers.\nEveryone has suffered during the pandemicfrom lost lives, lost jobs, lost chanceseveryone, that is, except America's billionaires,said Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness.Senator Sanders's bill recognizes that a good chunk of the obscene growth in wealth by the richest Americans during a national emergency should be used to help us all survive and recover.\nThe Covid-19 crisis further worsens inequality. While the working class struggles with job and income loss, billionaires' wealth has already fully bounced back and sometimes greatly surpassed pre-Covid levels,said Emmanuel Saez,Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. So far, the US government has borrowed from the rich to provide relief. It is only fair to also ask for direct contributions from the richest to the Covid-19 relief effort. Senator Sanders'bill takes a bold and innovative step in this direction, paving the way to make billionaires finally pay a fair share of their enormous gains.\nAs our country faces vast economic and health needs, billionaires continue to display their appetite for greed,said Susan Harley, Managing Director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch division. The Make Billionaires Pay Act smartly uses our tax code to take on the co-crises of COVID-19 health care disparities and the gaping income inequalities in our nation.\nWhat makes nations prosperous is not the sanctification of a tiny number of ultra-wealthy individuals; it is investment in health care and education for all,said Gabriel Zucman,Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. With the wealth of billionaires at a record high, their effective tax rate at a record low, and tens of millions of Americans lacking good health care, the Make Billionaires Pay Act is a commonsense piece of legislation  a much-needed step if America is to emerge stronger from this pandemic.\nRead the bill texthere.\nRead a fact sheet on the legislationhere.\nSee an analysis of the top 467 billionaires' pandemic wealth gains and revenues from Sanders' taxhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-speech-do-nothing-republicans-abandon-working-class-in-pandemic_", "Sanders Speech: Do-Nothing Republicans Abandon Working Class in Pandemic", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sanders Speech: Do-Nothing Republicans Abandon Working Class in Pandemic  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, August 5, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) lambasted the Republican legislative response to the coronavirus crisis, and denounced the shameful inaction of the Republican-controlled Senate.\r\n\"What everybody should understand is that over two and a half months ago, the House did its job and responded to the enormous pain and suffering of the American people, by passing a $3.5 trillion economic relief package that would extend the $600 a week increase in unemployment benefits until January,said Sanders.The Republican bill slashes unemployment benefits by 43% for 30 million Americans who lost their jobs, it continues a $135 billion tax break to 43,000 millionaires  primarily in the real estate and hedge fund industry.\"\r\n\"In the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of an economic meltdown for working families,\"said Sanders, we are currently witnessing what is likely the greatest transfer of wealth from the middle class and the poor to the very rich in the modern history of this country.\"\r\nThe statement was carried live on the Senator's social media channels and can be viewed onTwitterorFacebook.\r\nThe prepared remarks can be readhereand below:\r\n\r\n\"Mr. President, as everyone knows, this country faces an extraordinary set of crises  unprecedented in the modern history of this country. We are in the midst of the worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years. And the Senate has done nothing over the last two and a half months. Over the past four months, the coronavirus has infected nearly 5 million Americans and caused nearly 160,000 deaths. And the Senate is doing nothing. Incredibly, more Americans have been killed by the coronavirus than the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, 9-11, the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War - combined. And the Senate is doing nothing. We are in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. And the Senate is doing nothing. Since March, more than 30 million Americans have lost their jobs  and last week the Senate allowed a $600 a week increase in their unemployment benefits expire. Over half of the American people have seen a loss of income. And the Senate is doing nothing. 40 million Americans are in danger of being evicted from their homes, while the Senate has allowed a moratorium on evictions to expire. And the Senate is doing nothing. 26 million Americans cannot afford enough food to eat and are lining up at emergency food banks in record numbers. And the Senate is doing nothing. A record-breaking 5.4 million Americans recently lost their health insurance  leaving 92 million Americans uninsured and under-insured. And the Senate is doing nothing. In total, U.S. households have lost a staggering $6.5 trillion in wealth. And the Senate is doing nothing. Mr. President, what everybody should understand is that over two and a half months ago, the House did its job and responded to the enormous pain and suffering of the American people by passing a $3.5 trillion economic relief package. The HEROES Act passed by the House in May would extend the $600 a week increase in unemployment benefits until January. The House bill would provide over $900 billion to state and local governments to prevent the massive layoff of teachers, firefighters, nurses, construction workers and millions of other workers who are serving the public during this horrific pandemic. The House bill would provide hazard pay to essential workers and require businesses to adopt strong health and safety standards to protect their employees and customers. The House bill would provide $175 billion in rental and foreclosure assistance to make sure that millions of Americans do not lose their homes. The House bill also provides vital funding for nutrition assistance, election security, and the U.S. Postal Service. That's what the House passed two and a half months ago. Do I agree with everything that is in the house bill? No. I think most of it is excellent, but we can and should make improvements to it in the Senate. Now, Mr. President, two and a half months after the House passed its bill, Senate Republicans finally released their bill to respond to the coronavirus crisis. Unfortunately, the Republican plan is woefully inadequate for working families, the elderly, the sick and the poor, while providing even more corporate welfare to the rich and the powerful. The Senate Republican bill provides nothing for hazard pay, nothing for nutrition assistance, nothing for the 92 million Americans who are uninsured or under-insured, nothing for the Postal Service, and nothing for state and local governments on the verge of bankruptcy. But it does include another $29.4 billion for the Pentagon  on top of the $740 billion passed by the Senate a few weeks ago. It does include another tax break for the meals and entertainment of wealthy CEOs. The Republican bill does include another $1.75 billion for an FBI building, $1 billion for new surveillance planes, $636 million for F-35s, $360 million for a new missile defense system, and $283 million for Apache helicopters. Under the Republican bill, if you are a wealthy business executive you get a 100% tax deduction for a three martini lunch. But if you are one of the 26 million low-income Americans who do not have enough food to eat, you get nothing. In other words, when the Republicans talk about nutrition they talk about tax breaks for the rich who eat at fancy restaurants. But not one nickel for children in this country who are going hungry. Under the Republican bill, if you are a profitable defense contractor you will receive an additional $11 billion in corporate welfare. But if you are one of the 92 million Americans who are uninsured or under-insured you get nothing. Under the Republican bill, if you are a rich business owner who forces employees to work in an unsafe and unhealthy workplace, you are rewarded. The Republican bill will provide you with the immunity you need from lawsuits if your workers get sick or die from the coronavirus. But if you are an essential worker during this pandemic, you get nothing. The Republican bill does not make sure that you receive the hazard pay or the personal protective equipment that you need and deserve. While the Republican bill slashes unemployment benefits by 43% for 30 million Americans who lost their jobs, it continues a $135 billion tax break to 43,000 millionaires  primarily in the real estate and hedge fund industry. Needless to say, I am strongly opposed to the Senate Republican proposal. Instead of listening to the needs of the military industrial complex, we need to listen to the needs of working-class Americans. Instead of providing more tax breaks to billionaires, we need to provide more economic relief to the tens of millions of Americans who are hurting economically. Now, Mr. President, last month, I asked my constituents in Vermont and all over this country to tell me how the economic crisis has impacted their lives. Let me read to you just a few of the many thousands of stories my office has received: Dominic from Williston wrote: Without the additional $600/week benefit my benefit will automatically revert to the minimum $191/week. At that rate my wife and I will be in serious crisis within a month.\" Denise from Waitsfield wrote: I lost my job due to COVID-19 on March 16 2020. The PUA program and the additional $600 per week is keeping our family out of debt and allowing us to afford our mortgage. Without PUA and the additional federal stimulus our family would not be able to survive financially.\" Casey from Burlington wrote: I have been unemployed since March 20th and have no job to return to and limited options for finding a new job in a timely fashion; losing the extra $600/weekly unemployment benefit would be devastating for me. I know it would be the same for so many others including many friends and family.\" Amanda from Isle La Motte who works for an unemployment office in the state of Massachusetts wrote: I have heard heart wrenching stories. I've had moms crying that they can't feed their kids, families telling me they've been evicted and are homeless. A single dad who was a self-employed musician, he cried with me saying his savings had run out, he had no money for food. This man's story will stick with me the rest of my life. I've cried so many days for all these people I can't help. I suggest the government officials work in an unemployment call center for a day. The heart wrenching stories they will hear. And on and on it goes. Mr. President, now that the $600 a week in unemployment benefits has expired, now that the moratorium on evictions has expired, the crisis is only going to get worse and worse. In my view, we need to extend the extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits for the 30 million Americans who have lost their jobs. We need to make sure that every working-class person in America receives $2,000 a month until this crisis is over so that they can afford to pay the rent and put food on the table.\r\n  And we need to expand Medicare to all of the 92 million Americans who are uninsured or under-insured. We need a coronavirus relief bill that benefits the working class and the poor, not the wealthy and the well-connected. Now, Mr. President, what I think many people do not fully understand is that not everyone is hurting in America. Not everyone needs the Senate to act. While over 30 million Americans have seen their $600 a week in unemployment benefits expire, thanks to the emergency actions taken by the Federal Reserve to prop up the stock market, 467 billionaires in this country have seen their wealth go up by over $730 billion since the pandemic has begun. Let me repeat that. 467 billionaires have seen their wealth go up by over $730 billion during the pandemic. Meanwhile, during the last four months, while the very, very rich have become much richer, American households have seen their wealth go down by $6.5 trillion. In all likelihood, in the midst of everything else, we are currently witnessing what is likely the greatest transfer of wealth from the middle class and the poor to the very rich in the modern history of this country. In other words, in the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of an economic meltdown for working families, in the midst of a great struggle regarding systemic racism and police brutality, in the midst of the existential threat of climate change, in the midst of a president undermining democracy and moving us toward an authoritarian government, in the midst of all of that, we are seeing a massive increase in income and wealth inequality and the movement in this country toward oligarchy. Let me give you a few examples of the incredible growth in inequality that is taking place during this horrific pandemic. While Amazon is denying paid sick leave, hazard pay and personal protective equipment to 450,000 of its workers, Jeff Bezos has increased his wealth by over $70 billion. While U.S. taxpayers are subsidizing the starvation wages at Walmart, our nation's largest private employer, the Walton family has made over $20 billion during the pandemic and now has a net worth of over $200 billion. While 40 million Americans face eviction, Elon Musk has nearly tripled his wealth over the past four months and now has a net worth of more than $70 billion. While millions of Americans are lining up at emergency food banks because they don't have enough money to put food on the table, Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook has increased his wealth by more than $37 billion during the pandemic and is now worth over $90 billion. At a time of massive wealth and income inequality, when so many our people are hurting, it is morally obscene for billionaires to use a global pandemic as an opportunity to make outrageous profits. And that is why, Mr. President, I will be introducing legislation tomorrow to tax the obscene wealth gains billionaires have made during the public health crisis. According to Americans for Tax Fairness, if we taxed 60 percent of the windfall gains these billionaires made from March 18th until August 3rd we could raise over $420 billion. That's enough revenue to allow Medicare to pay all of the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for everyone in America over the next 12 months (based on an estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget). Yes, Mr. President, by taxing 60 percent of the wealth gains made by just 467 billionaires during this horrific pandemic, we could guarantee healthcare as a right for an entire year. And billionaires would still be able to pocket more than $310 billion in wealth gains during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. In my view, we can no longer tolerate the three wealthiest people in America owning more wealth than the bottom 50 percent, while over 30 million Americans have lost their jobs and 92 million people are either uninsured or under-insured. At a time of enormous economic pain and suffering, we have a choice to make. We can continue to allow the very rich to get much richer while everyone else gets poorer and poorer. Or we can tax the winnings a handful of billionaires made during the pandemic to improve the health and well-being of tens of millions of Americans. Mr. President, it is time for the Senate to act on behalf of the working class who are hurting like they have never hurt before, not the billionaire class who are doing phenomenally well and have never had it so good.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-sanders-announces-3-million-in-federal-funds-for-affordable-housing-in-vermont", "Sen. Sanders Announces $3 Million in Federal Funds for Affordable Housing in Vermont", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Sanders Announces $3 Million in Federal Funds for Affordable Housing in Vermont\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tWednesday, August 5, 2020\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tBURLINGTON, August 5  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Wednesday that Vermont will receive $3 million from the National Housing Trust Fund to build, preserve and rehabilitate affordable rental housing for extremely low-income families. This is the fifth year in a row that Vermont will receive a $3 million allocation from the trust fund, which Sanders helped create.\r\nSanders first introduced legislation to create the National Housing Trust Fund in 2001, based on the success of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund. Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and funded through a small assessment on the government-sponsored housing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the trust fund is the first new federal housing resource in more than a generation. It is also the first program exclusively targeted to help build housing that is affordable to people with the lowest incomes.\r\n\"Unfortunately, it was very clear that we had an affordable housing crisis in our country before the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanders said. Now, millions of working families are struggling to pay their rent and mortgages and at risk of becoming homeless. As we respond to the current health and economic crisis, we cannot ignore the unsustainable rising cost of housing. Right now, the National Housing Trust Fund is the only federal program that provides funding to construct, preserve and rehabilitate affordable housing for our lowest-income families. It is time to substantially increase its funding to meet the enormous need in every corner of this country.\"\r\nIn Vermont, the National Housing Trust Fund is administered by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Executive Director Gus Seelig said, Since it was established five years ago, the National Housing Trust Fund has been instrumental in creating and rehabilitating 490 homes in 20 housing developments located in 13 towns around the state. Ten developments are complete, providing homes affordable to our most vulnerable households, including some that had been homeless or were at risk of homelessness. These trust fund dollars are so important to Vermont, especially in this very difficult economy.\"\r\nAccording to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), 7.7 million of the poorest Americans spend at least half of their incomes on housing and utilities. When you spend half of your money on rent, that leaves very little for other necessities such as food and health care, Sanders said. Stable and affordable housing is not only essential to live with dignity, but without it, economic opportunity is simply an illusion. It makes it very difficult for families to keep up, and near impossible to get ahead or save for retirement or higher education.\"\r\nNLIH's annualOut of Reach reportranked Vermont as the 5th most expensive state in the country when comparing the cost of a modest two-bedroom apartment with wages. In Vermont, a minimum wage worker must work 85 hours each week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.\r\nNationally, the trust fund has already helped build 161 affordable housing developments, and many more are in the queue. This is a very good start, Sanders said, but it is clear we have a very long way to go. Unbelievably, President Trump has proposed zeroing out the trust fund for the past four years. To my mind, that is incredibly short-sighted and just plain wrong. During this unprecedented time, when millions of Americans are living in fear of losing their housing and are in need of a helping hand, we must make a historic investment in affordable housing. I will continue to fight to expand the program and to guarantee safe and affordable housing as a human right.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/crisis-after-crisis-republicans-leave-working-classbehind", "Crisis After Crisis: Republicans Leave Working ClassBehind", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Crisis After Crisis: Republicans Leave Working ClassBehind \n            We are in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. And the Republican-led Senate is doing nothing.\nJoin me on the Senate floor to demand help for the working class who are hurting like they have never hurtbefore.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/video-audio/maybe-we-should-listen-to-our-teachers", "Maybe We Should Listen To Our Teachers", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maybe We Should Listen To Our Teachers \n            Maybe, just maybe, Betsy DeVos and Donald Trump should listen to teachers and public health experts instead of threatening to cut funding for public schools.\n            \n                \n                    \n                       \t\n        \t\t\t\t\n                        \n                            \n                                \n                                \n                                    \n                                    \n                                    \n                                \n                                \n        \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \n                        \n                        \n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n                            \t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\t\n                    \n                \n            \n        \t\n            \n            \n            \n                \n                \n                \n                \n                    \n                   \tSee Video on YouTube\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n                    \nCopy Link", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sanders-speech-do-nothing-republicans-abandon-working-class-in-pandemic/", "Sanders Speech: Do-Nothing Republicans Abandon Working Class in Pandemic", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) lambasted the Republican legislative response to the coronavirus crisis, and denounced the shameful inaction of the Republican-controlled Senate.\nWhat everybody should understand is that over two and a half months ago, the House did its job and responded to the enormous pain and suffering of the American people, by passing a $3.5 trillion economic relief package that would extend the $600 a week increase in unemployment benefits until January,said Sanders.The Republican bill slashes unemployment benefits by 43% for 30 million Americans who lost their jobs, it continues a $135 billion tax break to 43,000 millionaires  primarily in the real estate and hedge fund industry.\nIn the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of an economic meltdown for working families,said Sanders, we are currently witnessing what is likely the greatest transfer of wealth from the middle class and the poor to the very rich in the modern history of this country.\nThe statement was carried live on the Senator's social media channels and can be viewed onTwitterorFacebook.\nThe prepared remarks can be readhereand below:\nMr. President, as everyone knows, this country faces an extraordinary set of crises  unprecedented in the modern history of this country.\nWe are in the midst of the worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years. And the Senate has done nothing over the last two and a half months.\nOver the past four months, the coronavirus has infected nearly 5 million Americans and caused nearly 160,000 deaths. And the Senate is doing nothing.\nIncredibly, more Americans have been killed by the coronavirus than the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, 9-11, the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War  combined. And the Senate is doing nothing.\nWe are in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. And the Senate is doing nothing.\nSince March, more than 30 million Americans have lost their jobs  and last week the Senate allowed a $600 a week increase in their unemployment benefits expire.\nOver half of the American people have seen a loss of income. And the Senate is doing nothing.\n40 million Americans are in danger of being evicted from their homes, while the Senate has allowed a moratorium on evictions to expire. And the Senate is doing nothing.\n26 million Americans cannot afford enough food to eat and are lining up at emergency food banks in record numbers. And the Senate is doing nothing.\nA record-breaking 5.4 million Americans recently lost their health insurance  leaving 92 million Americans uninsured and under-insured. And the Senate is doing nothing.\nIn total, U.S. households have lost a staggering $6.5 trillion in wealth. And the Senate is doing nothing.\nMr. President, what everybody should understand is that over two and a half months ago, the House did its job and responded to the enormous pain and suffering of the American people by passing a $3.5 trillion economic relief package.\nThe HEROES Act passed by the House in May would extend the $600 a week increase in unemployment benefits until January.\nThe House bill would provide over $900 billion to state and local governments to prevent the massive layoff of teachers, firefighters, nurses, construction workers and millions of other workers who are serving the public during this horrific pandemic.\nThe House bill would provide hazard pay to essential workers and require businesses to adopt strong health and safety standards to protect their employees and customers.\nThe House bill would provide $175 billion in rental and foreclosure assistance to make sure that millions of Americans do not lose their homes.\nThe House bill also provides vital funding for nutrition assistance, election security, and the U.S. Postal Service.\nThat's what the House passed two and a half months ago. Do I agree with everything that is in the house bill? No. I think most of it is excellent, but we can and should make improvements to it in the Senate.\nNow, Mr. President, two and a half months after the House passed its bill, Senate Republicans finally released their bill to respond to the coronavirus crisis.\nUnfortunately, the Republican plan is woefully inadequate for working families, the elderly, the sick and the poor, while providing even more corporate welfare to the rich and the powerful.\nThe Senate Republican bill provides nothing for hazard pay, nothing for nutrition assistance, nothing for the 92 million Americans who are uninsured or under-insured, nothing for the Postal Service, and nothing for state and local governments on the verge of bankruptcy.\nBut it does include another $29.4 billion for the Pentagon  on top of the $740 billion passed by the Senate a few weeks ago.\nIt does include another tax break for the meals and entertainment of wealthy CEOs.\nThe Republican bill does include another $1.75 billion for an FBI building, $1 billion for new surveillance planes, $636 million for F-35s, $360 million for a new missile defense system, and $283 million for Apache helicopters.\nUnder the Republican bill, if you are a wealthy business executive you get a 100% tax deduction for a three martini lunch. But if you are one of the 26 million low-income Americans who do not have enough food to eat, you get nothing. In other words, when the Republicans talk about nutrition they talk about tax breaks for the rich who eat at fancy restaurants. But not one nickel for children in this country who are going hungry.\nUnder the Republican bill, if you are a profitable defense contractor you will receive an additional $11 billion in corporate welfare. But if you are one of the 92 million Americans who are uninsured or under-insured you get nothing.\nUnder the Republican bill, if you are a rich business owner who forces employees to work in an unsafe and unhealthy workplace, you are rewarded. The Republican bill will provide you with the immunity you need from lawsuits if your workers get sick or die from the coronavirus. But if you are an essential worker during this pandemic, you get nothing. The Republican bill does not make sure that you receive the hazard pay or the personal protective equipment that you need and deserve.\nWhile the Republican bill slashes unemployment benefits by 43% for 30 million Americans who lost their jobs, it continues a $135 billion tax break to 43,000 millionaires  primarily in the real estate and hedge fund industry.\nNeedless to say, I am strongly opposed to the Senate Republican proposal.\nInstead of listening to the needs of the military industrial complex, we need to listen to the needs of working-class Americans.\nInstead of providing more tax breaks to billionaires, we need to provide more economic relief to the tens of millions of Americans who are hurting economically.\nNow, Mr. President, last month, I asked my constituents in Vermont and all over this country to tell me how the economic crisis has impacted their lives. Let me read to you just a few of the many thousands of stories my office has received:\nDominic from Williston wrote: Without the additional $600/week benefit my benefit will automatically revert to the minimum $191/week. At that rate my wife and I will be in serious crisis within a month.\nDenise from Waitsfield wrote: I lost my job due to COVID-19 on March 16 2020. The PUA program and the additional $600 per week is keeping our family out of debt and allowing us to afford our mortgage. Without PUA and the additional federal stimulus our family would not be able to survive financially.\nCasey from Burlington wrote: I have been unemployed since March 20th and have no job to return to and limited options for finding a new job in a timely fashion; losing the extra $600/weekly unemployment benefit would be devastating for me. I know it would be the same for so many others including many friends and family.\nAmanda from Isle La Motte who works for an unemployment office in the state of Massachusetts wrote: I have heard heart wrenching stories. I've had moms crying that they can't feed their kids, families telling me they've been evicted and are homeless. A single dad who was a self-employed musician, he cried with me saying his savings had run out, he had no money for food. This man's story will stick with me the rest of my life. I've cried so many days for all these people I can't help. I suggest the government officials work in an unemployment call center for a day. The heart wrenching stories they will hear.\nAnd on and on it goes.\nMr. President, now that the $600 a week in unemployment benefits has expired, now that the moratorium on evictions has expired, the crisis is only going to get worse and worse.\nIn my view, we need to extend the extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits for the 30 million Americans who have lost their jobs.\nWe need to make sure that every working-class person in America receives $2,000 a month until this crisis is over so that they can afford to pay the rent and put food on the table.\nAnd we need to expand Medicare to all of the 92 million Americans who are uninsured or under-insured.\nWe need a coronavirus relief bill that benefits the working class and the poor, not the wealthy and the well-connected.\nNow, Mr. President, what I think many people do not fully understand is that not everyone is hurting in America. Not everyone needs the Senate to act.\nWhile over 30 million Americans have seen their $600 a week in unemployment benefits expire, thanks to the emergency actions taken by the Federal Reserve to prop up the stock market, 467 billionaires in this country have seen their wealth go up by over $730 billion since the pandemic has begun.\nLet me repeat that. 467 billionaires have seen their wealth go up by over $730 billion during the pandemic.\nMeanwhile, during the last four months, while the very, very rich have become much richer, American households have seen their wealth go down by $6.5 trillion.\nIn all likelihood, in the midst of everything else, we are currently witnessing what is likely the greatest transfer of wealth from the middle class and the poor to the very rich in the modern history of this country.\nIn other words, in the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of an economic meltdown for working families, in the midst of a great struggle regarding systemic racism and police brutality, in the midst of the existential threat of climate change, in the midst of a president undermining democracy and moving us toward an authoritarian government, in the midst of all of that, we are seeing a massive increase in income and wealth inequality and the movement in this country toward oligarchy.\nLet me give you a few examples of the incredible growth in inequality that is taking place during this horrific pandemic.\nWhile Amazon is denying paid sick leave, hazard pay and personal protective equipment to 450,000 of its workers, Jeff Bezos has increased his wealth by over $70 billion.\nWhile U.S. taxpayers are subsidizing the starvation wages at Walmart, our nation's largest private employer, the Walton family has made over $20 billion during the pandemic and now has a net worth of over $200 billion.\nWhile 40 million Americans face eviction, Elon Musk has nearly tripled his wealth over the past four months and now has a net worth of more than $70 billion.\nWhile millions of Americans are lining up at emergency food banks because they don't have enough money to put food on the table, Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook has increased his wealth by more than $37 billion during the pandemic and is now worth over $90 billion.\nAt a time of massive wealth and income inequality, when so many our people are hurting, it is morally obscene for billionaires to use a global pandemic as an opportunity to make outrageous profits.\nAnd that is why, Mr. President, I will be introducing legislation tomorrow to tax the obscene wealth gains billionaires have made during the public health crisis.\nAccording to Americans for Tax Fairness, if we taxed 60 percent of the windfall gains these billionaires made from March 18th until August 3rd we could raise over $420 billion. That's enough revenue to allow Medicare to pay all of the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for everyone in America over the next 12 months (based on an estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget).\nYes, Mr. President, by taxing 60 percent of the wealth gains made by just 467 billionaires during this horrific pandemic, we could guarantee healthcare as a right for an entire year. And billionaires would still be able to pocket more than $310 billion in wealth gains during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.\nIn my view, we can no longer tolerate the three wealthiest people in America owning more wealth than the bottom 50 percent, while over 30 million Americans have lost their jobs and 92 million people are either uninsured or under-insured.\nAt a time of enormous economic pain and suffering, we have a choice to make. We can continue to allow the very rich to get much richer while everyone else gets poorer and poorer. Or we can tax the winnings a handful of billionaires made during the pandemic to improve the health and well-being of tens of millions of Americans.\nMr. President, it is time for the Senate to act on behalf of the working class who are hurting like they have never hurt before, not the billionaire class who are doing phenomenally well and have never had it so good.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-sanders-announces-3-million-in-federal-funds-for-affordable-housing-in-vermont/", "Sen. Sanders Announces $3 Million in Federal Funds for Affordable Housing in Vermont", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Independent", "House", "VT", "Bernard Sanders", "S000033", "www.sanders.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BURLINGTON, August 5  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Wednesday that Vermont will receive $3 million from the National Housing Trust Fund to build, preserve and rehabilitate affordable rental housing for extremely low-income families. This is the fifth year in a row that Vermont will receive a $3 million allocation from the trust fund, which Sanders helped create.\nSanders first introduced legislation to create the National Housing Trust Fund in 2001, based on the success of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund. Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and funded through a small assessment on the government-sponsored housing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the trust fund is the first new federal housing resource in more than a generation. It is also the first program exclusively targeted to help build housing that is affordable to people with the lowest incomes.\nUnfortunately, it was very clear that we had an affordable housing crisis in our country before the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanders said. Now, millions of working families are struggling to pay their rent and mortgages and at risk of becoming homeless. As we respond to the current health and economic crisis, we cannot ignore the unsustainable rising cost of housing. Right now, the National Housing Trust Fund is the only federal program that provides funding to construct, preserve and rehabilitate affordable housing for our lowest-income families. It is time to substantially increase its funding to meet the enormous need in every corner of this country.\nIn Vermont, the National Housing Trust Fund is administered by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Executive Director Gus Seelig said, Since it was established five years ago, the National Housing Trust Fund has been instrumental in creating and rehabilitating 490 homes in 20 housing developments located in 13 towns around the state. Ten developments are complete, providing homes affordable to our most vulnerable households, including some that had been homeless or were at risk of homelessness. These trust fund dollars are so important to Vermont, especially in this very difficult economy.\nAccording to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), 7.7 million of the poorest Americans spend at least half of their incomes on housing and utilities. When you spend half of your money on rent, that leaves very little for other necessities such as food and health care, Sanders said. Stable and affordable housing is not only essential to live with dignity, but without it, economic opportunity is simply an illusion. It makes it very difficult for families to keep up, and near impossible to get ahead or save for retirement or higher education.\nNLIH's annualOut of Reach reportranked Vermont as the 5th most expensive state in the country when comparing the cost of a modest two-bedroom apartment with wages. In Vermont, a minimum wage worker must work 85 hours each week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.\nNationally, the trust fund has already helped build 161 affordable housing developments, and many more are in the queue. This is a very good start, Sanders said, but it is clear we have a very long way to go. Unbelievably, President Trump has proposed zeroing out the trust fund for the past four years. To my mind, that is incredibly short-sighted and just plain wrong. During this unprecedented time, when millions of Americans are living in fear of losing their housing and are in need of a helping hand, we must make a historic investment in affordable housing. I will continue to fight to expand the program and to guarantee safe and affordable housing as a human right.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 234, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Independent", "p1": "VT", "p2": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 234, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VT&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 192, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT&year=2020&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 42, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT&year=2020&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "VT", "label": "VT", "count": 234, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 234, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-08-05,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Esanders~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpress-releases~2Fsen-sanders-announces-3-million-in-federal-funds-for-affordable-housing-in-vermont~2F", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=VT&year=2020&_next=2020-08-05%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Esanders~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpress-releases~2Fsen-sanders-announces-3-million-in-federal-funds-for-affordable-housing-in-vermont~2F&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 211.89130586571991, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}