Bernie Sanders, the 82-year-old lawmaker, garnered immense popularity among young voters during his 2020 presidential campaign. However, he ultimately threw his support behind Biden and became an influential advocate for the Democratic nominee. Recently, Sanders has been making assertive statements aimed directly at Democrats, particularly in light of recent polls indicating a decline in Biden’s support among a crucial voting demographic that played a pivotal role in securing the presidency for Trump four years ago. Throughout his career, Sanders has remained steadfast in his commitment to combat the influence of powerful entities such as large corporations and lobbyists, in order to champion the cause of the working class.
According to him, the president has achieved a lot and deserves recognition for his accomplishments.
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- 1 Sanders praises Biden’s work on health care access, infrastructure
- 2 At odds with policy on military aid to Israel
- 3 ‘Solution is to mobilize the American people’
Sanders praises Biden’s work on health care access, infrastructure
In his role as chair of HELP, Sanders discussed the collaborative efforts he and Biden have undertaken to confront the pharmaceutical industry. Recently, he joined Biden at the White House, participating in an event alongside health care advocates. The event centered around the objective of reducing the price of inhalers to $35 per month, as well as other initiatives aimed at enhancing health care accessibility within the Democratic party.
He emphasized the significance of Medicare negotiating prices, stating that it is a groundbreaking development for the healthcare industry.
The Biden administration has made significant strides in their accomplishments. One notable achievement is the passage of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law. This legislation aims to rebuild the country’s deteriorating roads, bridges, and water systems, while also tackling the urgent issue of climate change. Additionally, the administration has taken steps to alleviate the burden of student debt by canceling a substantial amount. These achievements highlight the administration’s commitment to improving the nation’s infrastructure and addressing pressing issues affecting the American people.
Biden’s commitment to the working class was evident when he became the first president in American history to join United Auto Workers on a picket line in Michigan. This gesture showcased his unwavering support for unions and workers.
Bernie Sanders strongly disagrees with the Biden administration’s “unrestricted military assistance” to Israel during its conflict with Gaza. Following the attack by Hamas terrorists, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages in southern Israel on October 7th, Sanders has voiced his concerns about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the situation. He holds Netanyahu accountable for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 35,000 individuals have tragically lost their lives in Gaza. Additionally, a report by the United Nations on March 18 revealed an impending famine, with humanitarian organizations estimating that over 2 million individuals are at risk of starvation.
At odds with policy on military aid to Israel
According to a recent Gallup survey, 55% of Americans are not in favor of Israel’s military action. This disapproval includes a significant increase among Democrats, with 75% expressing their discontent, compared to 63% in November. These statistics were released on March 27, just a day before the Biden campaign’s fundraising event.
In April, Biden signed a $95 billion foreign aid bill, which allocated $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza and other areas. However, Sanders voted against this measure.
According to Sanders, although Congress has approved the funds and the president has signed off on it, the money has yet to be released.
According to the speaker, it is imperative for the president to convey a strong message to Netanyahu. The president should make it clear that unless there is a substantial increase in humanitarian aid and an immediate end to the potential famine, no financial support will be provided. Additionally, the president should address the issue of settlers’ actions on the West Bank and emphasize the need for a serious discussion on a two-state solution. The speaker believes that these conditions must be met in order to receive monetary assistance.
“I strongly disagree with the notion that expressing concerns about the military automatically makes someone anti-Semitic. That is simply not true,” stated Sanders. He went on to say, “I find it highly objectionable that Netanyahu is using accusations of anti-Semitism to divert attention from the unjust actions of his government’s military.”
However, Sanders also recognized the troubling reality that both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are becoming more prevalent.
“I strongly condemn any form of protest that promotes anti-Semitism, racism against Muslim students, black students, or gay students. Such behavior is unacceptable and goes against the principles of a peaceful movement,” he emphasized.
‘Solution is to mobilize the American people’
What does Sanders, a Jewish lawmaker, understand by the term Zionism? While it has become a controversial term, with some individuals claiming to be anti-Zionist rather than antisemitic, Biden has openly referred to himself as a Zionist.
“I don’t spend my time pondering over the exact definition of the word. What I do know is that currently in Israel, there is a government leaning towards the extreme right, with some individuals who hold blatant racist views,” he stated. “Hamas, being a terrorist organization, initiated this conflict. While Israel has the legitimate right to protect itself, it does not possess the authority to wage war against the entire Palestinian population.”
Many segments of the Democratic party, including young voters, Black voters, Arab, and Muslim American voters, are increasingly disillusioned with Biden’s position on Gaza, according to recent polls. In light of this, what does the president need to do to win over these voters? “To begin with, it would be a positive move for them to revise their stance towards Netanyahu and Israel,” he remarked. “I believe that should be their top priority. It is high time for that change to happen.”
According to Sanders, the prominent figure of the progressive wing of the Democratic party and a supporter of Biden, the answer to voter dissatisfaction does not lie in electing a president “who admires authoritarian leaders like Putin and seeks to undermine American democracy.”
We need to unite the American people, regardless of their background, whether they are working-class individuals, Black, white, Latino, or Native American. Our goal is to rally everyone together to demand a government that truly represents all of us, not just a select few.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, a White House correspondent for USA TODAY, can be followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @SwapnaVenugopal.
Bernie Sanders expresses concern that young people may be underestimating the threat posed by Donald Trump.
