• SANDERS, BERNARD
Experience: Senator, United States Senate, 2006-present
Home State: Vermont
Person Website: https://berniesanders.com/
Social Media
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Running: President, United States, 2016
Total Raised: $229,115,600Coverage End: Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Winning: Won with 0.00%
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Personal

    Full Name: Bernard 'Bernie' Sanders
    Gender: Male
    Family: Wife: Jane; 4 Children: Levi, Heather, Carina, David
    Birth Date: 09/08/1941
    Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY
    Home City: Burlington, VT
    Religion: Jewish

Education

    Attended, Brooklyn College
    BS, University of Chicago, 1964

Political Experience

    Senator, United States Senate, 2006-present
    Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1990-2006
    Mayor, City of Burlington, 1981-1989
    Candidate, United States House of Representatives, 1988
    Candidate, Governor of Vermont, 1972, 1976, 1986
    Candidate, United States Senate, 1972, 1974

Current Legislative Committees

    Budget, Ranking Member
    Energy and Natural Resources, Member
    Environment and Public Works, Member
    Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Member
    Subcommittee on Children and Families, Member
    Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, Member
    Subcommittee on Energy, Member
    Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, Member
    Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy, Member
    Subcommittee on National Parks, Member
    Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, Ranking Member
    Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Member
    Subcommittee on Water and Power, Member
    Veterans' Affairs, Member

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees

    Co-Chair, Prescription Drug Task Force
    Former Chair, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, United States Senate
    Co-Chair, Congressional Child Care Caucus, 2003-2004
    Officer, Congressional Progressive Caucus, 1991-1998
    Co-Founder, Congressional Progressive Caucus, 1991

Professional Experience

    Author
    Former Documentary Filmmaker
    Former Carpenter
    Journalist
    Lecturer, Hamilton College, 1989-1990
    Lecturer, Harvard University, 1989
    Director, American People's Historical Society, 1977

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

    Member, Coalition on Population and Development
    Member, Friends of Ireland
    Former Member, Liberty Union Party
    Member, National Guard and Reserve Components Organization
    Member, Northeast-Midwest Coalition

Additional Information

Priority Issues:

    Progressive Tax Reform
    Worker's Rights
    A National Energy Policy
    The Environment
    Justice and Equality For All
    National Healthcare
    Getting Our Priorities Right
    A Strong Safety Net

Publications:

    Absolutely Absurd: The Life & Times of Bernie Sanders (Sleepy Hollow Press, 2002)-Outsider in the House (Verso, 1997)

About Bernie Sanders

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Bernard “Bernie” Sanders is the son of Polish Jewish immigrants. While his higher education began with the study of psychology in Brooklyn, he soon transferred to the University of Chicago, where he ultimately graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. His political activities during his academic career consisted mostly of contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, as he was a student organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. After college, he moved to Vermont and worked in several fields, including carpentry, film-making, writing, and research.

Sanders began a humble political career in 1971, experiencing frustrating results for the following ten years. It was not until 1981, after a brief break from politics, that he found major success in the field by winning election to the office of Mayor in Burlington. He held this role until 1989, when he opted not to seek reelection and began teaching political science at Harvard University. Sanders returned to politics again in 1991 and won the seat for Vermont's at-large congressional district, becoming the first Independent in congress in over 40 years.

Although Sanders traditionally runs as an Independent and describes himself as a “Democratic Socialist”, he caucuses with the Democratic Party and generally enjoys their support. In 2005, Sanders declared himself a candidate for Senate representing Vermont, following the retirement of Jim Jeffords. Critically, his campaign won the endorsement of New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Schumer's support meant that, although Sanders was as usual running as an Independent, any Democrat attempting to run against him would receive no financial help from the party. He also received endorsements from such notable Democrats as Harry Reid, Howard Dean, and even Barack Obama. Sanders would go on to win this Senate seat, and was reelected in 2012 with an impressive 71% of the vote.

Total: 121
Sanders' challenge: Winning over Obama supporters

Bernie Sanders has a well-defined support network – highly educated, white liberals. But to win the nomination, he’ll need to build a much broader coalition. And in this, one man may stand in his way: Barack Obama.

10/10/2015
By Gabriel Debenedetti and Nick Gass | POLITICO
Bernie Sanders' success may be pushing Hillary Clinton to the left

WASHINGTON — By the time Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton announced on Wednesday that she opposed a massive 12-nation trade deal, her major campaign rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, had been prodding her for months to take a position.

10/08/2015
By Nicole Gaudiano | USA Today
Leading Clinton in Iowa and NH, can Sanders extend surge?

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has edged ahead of Hillary Clinton in both Iowa and New Hampshire, according to some recent polls, adding new urgency to the question of whether he can extend his surge to the South.

09/11/2015
By Niall Stanage | The Hill
Donors urge Hillary Clinton to stop ignoring Sanders

The wounded front-runner is sticking to a GOP-attack strategy. But pressure is building.

09/11/2015
By Gabriel Debenedetti | POLITICO
Bernie Sanders overtakes Hillary Clinton in Iowa

People close to Clinton's camp have recently been warning that the Vermont senator could win Iowa and New Hampshire.

09/10/2015
By Gabriel Debenedetti and Nick Gass | POLITICO
Bernie Sanders: 'I don't know' how Biden run would impact 2016 race

CONWAY, New Hampshire – Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said that he isn’t sure how Vice President Joe Biden’s potential entrance into the 2016 Democratic primary race would affect his chances to win the nomination.

08/24/2015
By Kailani Koenig | MSNBC
The Sanders Effect: Media normalizes socialism

A subtle media phenomenon on the campaign trail has not gone unnoticed. The press is perhaps overlooking a certain item from Sen.Bernard Sandersresume.

08/20/2015
By Jennifer Harper | The Washington Times
How Bernie Sanders makes his mega-rallies

RENO, Nev. — Twenty-seven hours before Bernie Sanders recited his case for “political revolution” to 4,500 supporters at the local branch of the state university here on Tuesday night, the first of the Sander-istas had already wandered in from the desert.

08/19/2015
By Ben Schreckinger | POLITICO
Sanders Versus Trump Would Be Fun
08/19/2015
Chris Weigant | The Huffington Post
I Really Am Still Undecided Between Bernie and Hillary
08/19/2015
Ian Reifowitz | The Huffington Post
Sanders on Trump: 'I am not a billionaire'

Sen. Bernie Sanders said on Sunday his Democratic presidential campaign differs from that Republican Donald Trump’s bid for the White House, even though many voters who like Sanders’s message also seem to like Trump’s.

08/16/2015
By Jennifer Shutt | POLITICO
Bernie Sanders Hit By Democratic Rival For Being An Independent
08/13/2015
By Marina Fang | The Huffington Post
How Bernie Sanders' Popularity Creates Trouble for His Campaign
08/13/2015
BY CLARE FORAN | NATIONAL JOURNAL
Bernie Sanders leads Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire: poll

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has overtaken Hillary Clinton — at least in the early voting state of New Hampshire, where he leads by seven percentage points, according to a new poll by Franklin Pierce University and the Boston Herald.

08/12/2015
By Aliyah Frumin | MSNBC
Bernie Sanders shatters 2016 turnout record with 28,000 crowd

Bernie Sanders drew a record-breaking 28,000 people to a rally in Portland, Oregon Sunday, according to his presidential campaign. That makes it by far the largest turnout for any 2016 presidential candidate thus far, breaking a previous record set by Sanders just one day earlier in Seattle.  

08/10/2015
By Alex Seitz-Wald | MSNBC
To appreciate the GOP debate, imagine you're 'extremely greedy and selfish,' says Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders, the self-described democratic socialist running for president, had some advice Thursday for people preparing to watch the first Republican debate: Imagine you're “extremely greedy and selfish,” and the candidates will be speaking to you.

08/06/2015
By John Wagner | Washington Post
Bernie Sanders to speak at Liberty U!

Yesterday Liberty University announced that Bernie Sanders is going to speak at one of its weekly Convocations September 14.

08/06/2015
Religion News Service
Bernie Sanders pushes for $15 minimum wage
07/22/2015
By Nicole Gaudiano | USA TODAY
Total: 3
Sunday, March 6, 2016 9:00 PM CNN Democratic Debate
Location: The Whiting Auditorium in Flint, Michigan
Sponsors: CNN, MLive, The Flint Journal
Moderators: Anderson Cooper
Saturday, November 14, 2015 6:00 PM CBS News Democratic Debate
Location: Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa
Sponsors: CBS News, KCCI, the Des Moines Register
Moderators: John Dickerson
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 8:30 PM CNN Democratic Primary Debate
Location: Wynn Las Vegas
Sponsors: CNN, Nevada Democratic Party
Moderators: Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, and Dana Bash
General Survey
Issue Title Candidate's Answers
1. Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right

Strongly Support
2. Stricter punishment reduces crime

Strongly Oppose
3. Marijuana is a gateway drug

Strongly Oppose
4. Higher taxes on the wealthy

Strongly Support
5. Stimulus better than market-led recovery

Strongly Support
6. Vouchers for school choice

Strongly Oppose
7. Make voter registration easier

Strongly Support
8. Prioritize green energy

Strongly Support
9. Avoid foreign entanglements

Strongly Support
10. Expand the military

Strongly Oppose
11. Support & expand free trade

Strongly Oppose
12. Support American Exceptionalism

Strongly Oppose
13. Absolute right to gun ownership

No Opinion
14. Expand ObamaCare

Strongly Support
15. Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

Support
16. EPA regulations are too restrictive

Strongly Oppose
17. Keep God in the public sphere

Strongly Oppose
18. Legally require hiring more women & minorities

Strongly Support
19. Comfortable with same-sex marriage

Strongly Support
20. Privatize Social Security

Strongly Oppose
Total: 372
Introduced Date Bill Number Bill Title Last Action
05/10/2017 S.1082 United States Employee Ownership Bank Act 05/10/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.  (All Actions)
05/10/2017 S.1081 WORK Act 05/10/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.  (All Actions)
05/09/2017 S.1076 Keep Our Pension Promises Act 05/09/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
04/03/2017 S.806 College for All Act of 2017 04/03/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.  (All Actions)
04/03/2017 S.805 Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2017 04/03/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
03/09/2017 S.586 Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act 03/09/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
03/02/2017 S.495 Medical Innovation Prize Fund Act 03/02/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.  (All Actions)
02/28/2017 S.469 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act 02/28/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.  (All Actions)
02/16/2017 S.427 Social Security Expansion Act 02/16/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
06/09/2016 S.3044 Puerto Rico Humanitarian Relief and Reconstruction Act 06/09/2016 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
12/10/2015 S.2399 Climate Protection and Justice Act of 2015 12/10/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
11/05/2015 S.2242 Save Oak Flat Act 11/05/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  (All Actions)
11/04/2015 S.2237 Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015 11/04/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.  (All Actions)
12/10/2015 S.2398 Clean Energy Worker Just Transition Act 12/10/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
12/10/2015 S.2391 American Clean Energy Investment Act of 2015 12/10/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
10/06/2015 S.2142 Workplace Democracy Act 10/06/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.  (All Actions)
09/17/2015 S.2054 Justice is Not For Sale Act of 2015 09/17/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.  (All Actions)
09/10/2015 S.2023 Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 09/10/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  (All Actions)
08/05/2015 S.1970 Raising Enrollment with a Government Initiated System for Timely Electoral Registration (REGISTER) Act of 2015 08/05/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.  (All Actions)
08/05/2015 S.1969 Democracy Day Act of 2015 08/05/2015 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.  (All Actions)
Total: 5295
Date Bill Number Bill Title Result Vote
06/14/2017 S.591 Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017
06/08/2017 S.Res.184 A resolution relative to the death of James Paul David "Jim" Bunning, former United States Senator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
06/08/2017 S.363 North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act
05/18/2017 S.1182 A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of The American Legion.
05/18/2017 S.881 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act of 2017
05/17/2017 S.1162 A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans, and for other purposes.
05/17/2017 S.1155 A bill to amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to increase the amount of financial support available for working students.
05/17/2017 S.784 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017
05/17/2017 S.324 State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act of 2017
05/11/2017 S.1105 Miners Pension Protection Act
05/04/2017 S.1045 Save Women's Preventive Care Act
05/03/2017 S.Res.153 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that, during Public Service Recognition Week, public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States.
05/02/2017 S.1006 Equality Act
05/02/2017 S.662 NO HATE Act
05/01/2017 S.999 COAST Anti-Drilling Act
05/01/2017 S.991 Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2017
04/27/2017 S.987 100 by '50 Act
04/27/2017 S.985 A bill to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from revising the approved oil and gas leasing program for fiscal years 2017 through 2022.
04/27/2017 S.959 Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act
04/27/2017 S.957 Access to Contraception for Women Servicemembers and Dependents Act of 2017
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