Bernie Sanders

Independent

U.S. Senate Vermont

Tenure

2007 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

Predecessor

James Merrill Jeffords

Prior offices

U.S. House of Representatives

* * *

Compensation

Base salary

$174,000

Net worth

$460,506

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 6, 2018

Education

High school

James Madison High School, Brooklyn, NY

Bachelor's

University of Chicago

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official YouTube

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Bernie Sanders is an independent member of the U.S. Senate from Vermont who caucuses with the Democratic Party.

Sanders announced that he was running for president of the United States for a second time on February 19, 2019.[1] He suspended his presidential campaign on April 8, 2020.[2]

Sanders previously ran for the presidency in 2016, coming in second to Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.[3]

In 2018, Sanders won re-election to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat and as an independent. In his 2006 Senate election and his 2012 re-election, he won the Democratic primary and then declined the nomination ahead of the general election so he could appear on the ballot as an independent.[4]

Sanders was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2007.

Sanders regularly endorses candidates in races across the country. For more information about his endorsements, see this page.

## Contents

* 1 Biography
* 2 Career
* 3 Committee assignments
* 3.1 U.S. Senate
* 3.1.1 2017-2018
* 3.1.2 2015-2016
* 3.1.3 2013-2014
* 3.1.4 2011-2012
* 4 Key votes
* 4.1 Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2020
* 4.2 Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018
* 4.3 Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress
* 4.4 114th Congress
* 4.4.1 Economic and fiscal
* 4.4.1.1 Trade Act of 2015
* 4.4.1.2 2016 Budget proposal
* 4.4.1.3 Defense spending authorization
* 4.4.1.4 2015 budget
* 4.4.2 Foreign affairs
* 4.4.2.1 Iran nuclear deal
* 4.4.3 Domestic
* 4.4.3.1 USA FREEDOM Act of 2015
* 4.4.3.2 Cyber security
* 4.4.4 Immigration
* 4.5 113th Congress
* 4.5.1 National security
* 4.5.1.1 John Brennan CIA nomination
* 4.5.2 Economy
* 4.5.2.1 No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013
* 4.5.2.2 Government shutdown
* 4.5.3 Immigration
* 4.5.3.1 Mexico-U.S. border
* 4.5.4 Social issues
* 4.5.4.1 Violence Against Women (2013)
* 4.6 Previous congressional sessions
* 4.6.1 Fiscal Cliff
* 5 Issues
* 6 Elections
* 6.1 2020
* 6.1.1 Presidency
* 6.2 2018
* 6.3 2016
* 6.3.1 Presidency
* 6.4 2012
* 6.5 Full history
* 7 Campaign themes
* 7.1 2018
* 7.1.1 Campaign website
* 8 Presidential preference
* 8.1 2020
* 8.2 2016
* 9 Campaign donors
* 9.1 Comprehensive donor history
* 9.2 2018
* 9.3 2012
* 9.3.1 Cost per vote
* 9.4 2006
* 10 Personal Gain Index
* 10.1 PGI: Change in net worth
* 10.2 PGI: Donation Concentration Metric
* 11 Analysis
* 11.1 Like-minded colleagues
* 11.2 Ideology and leadership
* 11.3 Lifetime voting record
* 11.4 Congressional staff salaries
* 11.5 National Journal vote ratings
* 11.5.1 2013
* 11.5.2 2012
* 11.5.3 2011
* 12 Ballot measure activity
* 13 Noteworthy events
* 13.1 Speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention
* 13.1.1 Transcript
* 13.1.2 Video
* 14 Personal
* 15 Recent news
* 16 See also
* 17 External links
* 18 Footnotes

## Biography[edit]

Sanders was born in 1941 in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up. He earned his B.A. in political science from the University of Chicago in 1964 and went on to lecture at Harvard University and Hamilton College in New York. Sanders has also worked as a carpenter and a journalist.[5]

After spending six months in a kibbutz (a communal settlement) in Israel, Sanders moved to Vermont in 1968.[6] In the 1970s, he ran unsuccessfully for governor of Vermont twice and for U.S. Senate twice as a Liberty Union Party candidate. He was elected mayor of Burlington as an independent in 1981, defeating Democratic incumbent Gordon Paquette by a margin of 10 votes, and he served as mayor until 1989.[7]

During his mayoral tenure, Sanders ran unsuccessful bids for governor and U.S. House as an independent before being elected to the House in 1990, where he served until joining the U.S. Senate in 2007.[8]

Sanders sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2016, which he lost to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He received around 43 percent of the popular vote in the primaries compared to Clinton's 55 percent, and he received support from 39 percent of delegates at the national convention to Clinton's 60 percent.[9]

Though Sanders has held elected office as an independent since 1981 and sought the Democratic nomination for president, he identifies as a democratic socialist.[10]

## Career[edit]

Below is an abbreviated outline of Sanders' academic, professional, and political career:[11]

* 2007 - Present: U.S. Senator from Vermont
* 1991-2007: Member of the United States House of Representatives
* 1981-1989: Mayor of Burlington, Vermont

## Committee assignments[edit]

### U.S. Senate[edit]

#### 2021-2022

Sanders was assigned to the following committees:[Source]

* Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
* Subcommittee on Children and Families
* Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, Chair
* Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
* Senate Committee on Budget, Chair
* Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
* Energy
* National Parks
* Water and Power
* Committee on Environment and Public Works
* Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety
* Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight
* Transportation and Infrastructure

#### 2019-2020

Sanders was assigned to the following committees:[Source]

* Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
* Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
* Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
* Senate Committee on Budget, Ranking Member
* Committee on Environment and Public Works

#### 2017-2018[edit]

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Sanders was assigned to the following committees:[12]

* Committee on the Budget
* Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
* Committee on Environment and Public Works
* Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
* Committee on Veterans' Affairs

#### 2015-2016[edit]

Sanders served on the following committees:[13]

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

#### 2013-2014[edit]

Sanders served on the following Senate committees:[14]

* Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman
* Budget Committee
* Energy and Natural Resources Committee
* Subcommittee on Water and Power
* Subcommittee on National Parks
* Subcommittee on Energy
* Environment and Public Works Committee
* Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
* Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy
* Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
* Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
* Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging Chairman
* Subcommittee on Children and Families
* Joint Economic Committee

#### 2011-2012[edit]

Sanders served on the following Senate committees:[11]

* Environment and Public Works Committee
* Energy and Natural Resources Committee
* Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
* Budget Committee
* Veterans' Affairs Committee
* Joint Economic Committee

## Key votes[edit]

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

### Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2020[edit]

### Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018[edit]

For detailed information about each vote, click here.

* Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

Voted Yea on: First Step Act of 2018 (S 756)

Motion Agreed to (87-12) on December 18, 2018
Proposed making changes to the criminal justice system.[15]

Voted Yea on: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (HR 2)

Conference Report Agreed to (87-13) on December 11, 2018
Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.[16]

Voted Nay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

Nomination Confirmed (50-48) on October 6, 2018
Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States[17]

Voted Nay on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-49) on October 5, 2018
Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States[18]

Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

Bill Passed (86-11, 3/5 majority required) on June 28, 2018
Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance.[19]

Voted Nay on: Immigration reform proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley and the Trump administration (S Amdt 1959 to HR 2579)

Cloture Motion Rejected (39-60, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
Proposed providing a path to citizenship for 1.8 million individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, limits on chain migration or family-based migration, and eliminating the visa lottery system.[20]

Voted Yea on: Immigration reform proposal from the Common Sense Coalition (S Amdt 1958 to HR 2579)

Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, and limitations on chain or family-based immigration.[21]

Voted Nay on: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act amendment (S Amdt 1948 to S Amdt 1959)

Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
Proposed withholding funding from sanctuary jurisdictions for not cooperating with federal immigration officials.[22]

Voted Yea on: Coons-McCain immigration plan (S Amdt 1955 to S Amdt 1958)

Cloture Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018
Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children and conducting a study to determine what border security measures were needed. It also proposed requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by 2021.[23]

Voted Nay on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S 2311)

Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-46, 3/5 majority required) on January 29, 2018
Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill proposed providing exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.[24]

Voted Nay on: An amendment to repeal the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it—"Skinny bill" (S Amdt 667 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628 the American Health Care Act of 2017)

Amendment Rejected (49-51) on July 28, 2017
The amendment proposed repealing the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it.[25]

Voted Nay on: An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271) (S Amdt 271 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

Amendment Rejected (45-55) on July 26, 2017
An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271)[26]

Voted Nay on: Motion to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, including Cruz and Portman amendments (S Amdt 270 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

Motion Rejected (43-57, 3/5 majority required) on July 25, 2017
A procedural vote to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), including the Cruz and Portman amendments.[27]

Voted Nay on: Motion to begin debate on the American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

Motion to Proceed Agreed to (50-50, Vice President voted Yea) on July 25, 2017
Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.[28]

Voted Nay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(4)—confirmation vote)

Nomination Confirmed (54-45) on April 7, 2017
Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—confirmation vote.[29]

Voted Nay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(3))

Cloture Motion Agreed to (55-45) on April 6, 2017
Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—second vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination under the new precedent requiring only a simple majority to pass.[30]

Voted Yea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(2))

Decision of Chair Not Sustained (48-52) on April 6, 2017
Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—a vote to keep the Senate precedent of requiring 60 votes to close debate on Supreme Court nominations.[31]

Voted Nay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55)

Cloture Motion Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required) on April 6, 2017
Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—initial vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination.[32]

* Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

Voted Nay on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

Conference Report Agreed to (93-7) on September 18, 2018
Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[33]

Voted Yea on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

Conference Report Agreed to (92-5) on September 12, 2018
Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[34]

Voted Nay on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

Bill Passed (85-7) on August 23, 2018
Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[35]

Voted Yea on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

Bill Passed (86-5) on June 25, 2018
Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[36]

Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

Motion Agreed to (65-32) on March 23, 2018
Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.[37]

Voted Nay on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

Motion Agreed to (71-28) on February 9, 2018
Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018[38]

Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

Cloture Motion Rejected (55-44, 3/5 majority required) on February 8, 2018
Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018.[39]

Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

Motion Agreed to (81-18) on January 22, 2018
Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.[40]

Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

Cloture Motion Agreed to (81-18, 3/5 majority required) on January 22, 2018
Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.[41]

Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

Cloture Motion Rejected (50-49, 3/5 majority required) on January 19, 2018
Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.[42]

Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

Motion Agreed to (66-32, 3/5 majority required) on December 21, 2017
Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.[43]

Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

Motion Agreed to (51-48) on December 20, 2017
Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 and proposed changes to the tax code.[44]

Voted Nay on: "A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes." (HJ Res 123)

Joint Resolution Passed (81-14) on December 7, 2017
Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.[45]

Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

Bill Passed (51-49) on December 2, 2017
Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.[46]

Voted Nay on: A concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

Concurrent Resolution Agreed to (51-49) on October 19, 2017
Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027.[47]

Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

Motion Agreed to (80-17) on September 7, 2017
Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.[48]

Voted Yea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

Motion Agreed to (79-18) on May 4, 2017
The $1.2 trillion budget bill proposed funding the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.[49]

* Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

Voted Yea on: "A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." (SJ Res 54)

Joint Resolution Passed (56-41) on December 13, 2018
Proposed removing United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that were not authorized by Congress.[50]

Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

Bill Passed (89-8) on September 18, 2017
Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On November 15, 2017, the Senate passed the defense policy bill by voice vote. This bill was the result of compromises made in the conference report. For more information on the compromise bill, click here.[51][52]

Voted Nay on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

Bill Passed (98-2) on July 27, 2017
Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.[53]

Voted Nay on: Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S 722)

Bill Passed (98-2) on June 15, 2017
Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.[54]

### Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress[edit]

Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract)

### 114th Congress[edit]

The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[55][56] The Senate confirmed 18,117 out of 21,815 executive nominations received (83 percent). For more information pertaining to Sanders's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[57]

#### Economic and fiscal[edit]

##### Trade Act of 2015[edit]

See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

On May 22, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314, which was used as a legislative vehicle for trade legislation with the titles "Trade Act of 2015" and the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015," by a vote of 62-37. The bill proposed giving the president trade promotion authority (TPA). TPA, also known as fast track authority, allows the president to negotiate trade deals that cannot be amended by Congress. Congress casts a simple up or down vote on a trade agreement, and the legislation only requires a simple majority for approval. The bill also included a statement of trade priorities and provisions for trade adjustment assistance. Independent senators Angus King and Bernie Sanders voted against the bill with 31 Democrats and 4 Republicans.[58][59]
Trade promotion authority
On June 24, 2015, by a vote of 60-38, the Senate approved trade promotion authority (TPA) as part of HR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act. Sanders was one of two Independents to vote against the bill. After, Senate Republican leadership honored a pledge to support trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by passing the measure as part of HR 1295 - Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 by voice vote. The House passed HR 1295 the following day, on June 25, 2015, and both TPA and TAA were signed into law on June 29, 2015.[60][61][62]

##### 2016 Budget proposal[edit]

On May 5, 2015, the Senate voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 51-48. The non-binding resolution will be used to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. The vote marked the first time since 2009 that Congress approved a joint budget resolution. Independent senators Angus King and Bernie Sanders joined all 44 Democrats and voted against the resolution.[63][64][65]

##### Defense spending authorization[edit]

On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed S 1356 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 91-3. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[66][67] Sanders voted with two Democrats against the bill.[68] On November 5, 2015, the House passed the bill by a vote of 370-58, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[69]

On June 18, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 71-25. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Sanders voted with 22 Democrats and two Republicans against the bill.[70] The House passed the bill on May 15, 2015.[71] President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[72]

##### 2015 budget[edit]

On October 30, 2015, the Senate passed HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 by a vote of 64-35. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[73] Sanders voted with one independent, 18 Republicans and 44 Democrats in favor of the bill.[74] It passed the House on October 28, 2015.[75] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

#### Foreign affairs[edit]

##### Iran nuclear deal[edit]

See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

On May 7, 2015, the Senate voted to approve HR 1191 - A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes, by a vote of 98-1. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Sanders voted to approve the bill.[76][77]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015
On September 10, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 58-42.[78] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Sanders voted with 40 Democrats and one Independent against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[79]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 follow up votes
On September 15, 2015, the Senate voted for a second time to filibuster the measure to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal by a vote of 56-42.[80] Sixty votes were needed to proceed to HJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Sanders voted with 40 Democrats and one Independent against proceeding to the measure of disapproval.[81] The legislation was voted on for a third time on September 17, and it failed for a third time by a vote of 56-42.[82]

Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 fourth vote
On September 17, 2015, the Senate voted to filibuster a vote on S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640 by a vote of 53-45. The amendment proposed prohibiting "the President from waiving, suspending, reducing, providing relief from, or otherwise limiting the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran."[83] Sanders voted with 43 Democrats and one Independent against proceeding to the amendment.[84]

#### Domestic[edit]

##### USA FREEDOM Act of 2015[edit]

On June 2, 2015, the Senate passed HR 2048 - the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 by a vote of 67-32. The legislation revised HR 3199 - the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 by terminating the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Sanders voted with 30 Republicans and one Democrat against the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[85][86]

##### Cyber security[edit]

On October 27, 2015, the Senate passed S 754 - the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 by a vote of 74-21.[87] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Sanders voted with six Republicans and 14 Democrats against the bill.[88]

#### Immigration[edit]

On October 20, 2015, the Senate voted against proceeding to a vote on S 2146 - the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act by a vote of 54-45. The bill proposed withholding federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" that violate the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and other federal immigration laws. In addition, the bill proposed increasing "penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed" and providing "liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement."[89] Sanders voted with one Independent, 42 Democrats and one Republican against proceeding to the bill.[90]

### 113th Congress[edit]

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[91] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Sanders's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[92]

#### National security[edit]

##### John Brennan CIA nomination[edit]

Sanders voted against the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.[93]

#### Economy[edit]

##### No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013[edit]

Sanders voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.[94]

##### Government shutdown[edit]

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[95] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Sanders voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.[96]

#### Immigration[edit]

##### Mexico-U.S. border[edit]

Sanders voted against Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.[97]

#### Social issues[edit]

##### Violence Against Women (2013)[edit]

Sanders voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.[98]

### Previous congressional sessions[edit]

#### Fiscal Cliff[edit]

Sanders voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.[99]

## Issues[edit]

## Elections[edit]

### 2020[edit]

#### Presidency[edit]

See also: Presidential candidates, 2020

Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) won the presidential election on November 3, 2020. Biden received 306 electoral votes and President Donald Trump (R) received 232 electoral votes. In the national popular vote, Biden received 81.2 million votes and Trump received 74.2 million votes.

Sanders announced that he was running for president on February 19, 2019.[1] He suspended his presidential campaign on April 8, 2020.[2]

Ballotpedia compiled the following resources about Sanders and the 2020 presidential election:

* News stories about the 2020 presidential election;
* An overview of key national and state campaign staffers;
* Endorsements from politicians, public figures, and organizations;
* An overview of candidate campaign travel; and
* A list of other presidential candidates who ran for election.

Click here for Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign overview.

### 2018[edit]

See also: United States Senate election in Vermont, 2018

General election

##### General election for U.S. Senate Vermont

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Vermont on November 6, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Bernie Sanders (Independent)  |

67.3

| 183,649

| Lawrence Zupan (R)  |

27.4

| 74,663

| Brad Peacock (Independent)  |

1.4

| 3,787

| Russell Beste (Independent)  |

1.0

| 2,763

| Edward Gilbert Jr. (Independent)  |

0.8

| 2,244

| Folasade Adeluola (Independent)  |

0.7

| 1,979

| Jon Svitavsky (Independent)  |

0.5

| 1,280

| Reid Kane (Liberty Union Party)  |

0.4

| 1,171

| Bruce Busa (Independent)  |

0.3

| 914
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.1

| 294

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 272,744

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Vermont

Incumbent Bernie Sanders defeated Folasade Adeluola in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Vermont on August 14, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Bernie Sanders |

94.4

| 63,322

| Folasade Adeluola |

5.6

| 3,748

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 67,070

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

#####  Republican primary for U.S. Senate Vermont

H. Brooke Paige defeated Lawrence Zupan, Jasdeep Pannu, and Roque De La Fuente in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Vermont on August 14, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| H. Brooke Paige |

39.6

| 9,805

| Lawrence Zupan |

37.9

| 9,383

| Jasdeep Pannu |

18.3

| 4,527

| Roque De La Fuente |

4.3

| 1,057

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 24,772

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* Cris Ericson (Independent)
* H. Brooke Paige (R)

### 2016[edit]

#### Presidency[edit]

See also: Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, 2016 and Presidential election, 2016

Sanders was a Democratic candidate for the office of President of the United States in 2016. He made his candidacy official on April 30, 2015.[3] He was the second Democratic candidate to formally announce his entry into the race, following Hillary Clinton. On July 12, 2016, Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton for president but not did formally suspend his campaign.[100]

### 2012[edit]

See also: United States Senate elections in Vermont, 2012

Sanders ran for re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. Senate, representing Vermont. Sanders ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 28, 2012. He also ran as an independent. He defeated John MacGovern (R), Cris Ericson (United States Marijuana Party), Laurel LaFramboise (VoteKISS), Pete Diamondstone (Liberty Union) and Peter Moss (Peace and Prosperity) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[101][102]

U.S. Senate, Vermont, General Election, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernie Sanders Incumbent | 71.1% | 207,848
| Republican  |  John MacGovern  | 24.9% | 72,898
| Third  |  Cris Ericson  | 2% | 5,924
| Third  |  Laurel LaFramboise  | 0.3% | 877
| Third  |  Peter Moss  | 0.8% | 2,452
| Third  |  Pete Diamondstone  | 0.9% | 2,511
Total Votes | 292,510
Source: Vermont Board of Elections, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

### Full history[edit]

To view the full congressional electoral history for Bernie Sanders, click [show] to expand the section.

|

2006

On November 7, 2006, Bernard Sanders won election to the United States Senate. He defeated Rich Tarrant (R), Cris Ericson (I), Craig Hill (T), Pete Diamondstone (T), Peter Moss (T) and Write-in in the general election.[103]

| U.S. Senate, Vermont General Election, 2006

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders | 65.4% | 171,638
| Republican  |  Rich Tarrant  | 32.4% | 84,924
| Independent  |  Cris Ericson  | 0.7% | 1,735
| Vermont Green  |  Craig Hill  | 0.6% | 1,536
| Liberty Union  |  Pete Diamondstone  | 0.3% | 801
| Anti-Bushist Candidate  |  Peter Moss  | 0.6% | 1,518
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.1% | 267
Total Votes | 262,419

2004

On November 7, 2006, Bernard Sanders won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Greg Parke (R), Larry Drown (D), Jane Newton (T) and a write-in in the general election.[104]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 2006

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders incumbent | 67.5% | 205,774
| Republican  |  Greg Parke  | 24.4% | 74,271
| Democratic  |  Larry Drown  | 7.1% | 21,684
| Liberty Union  |  Jane Newton  | 1% | 3,018
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.1% | 261
Total Votes | 305,008

2002

On November 5, 2002, Bernard Sanders won re-election to the United States House. He defeated William Meub (R), Jane Newton (T), Fawn Skinner (T) and Daniel Krymkowski (L) in the general election.[105]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 2002

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders incumbent | 64.3% | 144,880
| Republican  |  William Meub  | 32.3% | 72,813
| Liberty Union/Progressive  |  Jane Newton  | 1.4% | 3,185
| Vermont Grassroots  |  Fawn Skinner  | 1% | 2,344
| Libertarian  |  Daniel Krymkowski  | 0.9% | 2,033
Total Votes | 225,255

2000

On November 7, 2000, Bernard Sanders won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Karen Ann Kerin (R), Stewart Skrill (I), Pete Diamondstone (T), Jack Rogers (T), Daniel Krymkowski (L) and a write-in in the general election.[106]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 2000

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders incumbent | 69.2% | 196,118
| Republican  |  Karen Ann Kerin  | 18.3% | 51,977
| Independent  |  Stewart Skrill  | 4.2% | 11,816
| Democratic, Liberty Union  |  Pete Diamondstone  | 5.3% | 14,918
| Vermont Grassroots  |  Jack Rogers  | 1.7% | 4,799
| Libertarian  |  Daniel Krymkowski  | 1.1% | 2,978
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.3% | 760
Total Votes | 283,366

1998

On November 3, 1998, Bernard Sanders won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Mark Candon (R), Robert Maynard (L), Matthew Mulligan (T), Pete Diamondstone (T) and write-in in the general election.[107]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 1998

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders incumbent | 63.4% | 136,403
| Republican  |  Mark Candon  | 32.9% | 70,740
| Libertarian  |  Robert Maynard  | 1% | 2,097
| Vermont Grassroots  |  Matthew Mulligan  | 1.6% | 3,464
| Liberty Union  |  Pete Diamondstone  | 1% | 2,153
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.1% | 276
Total Votes | 215,133

1996

On November 5, 1996, Bernard Sanders won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Susan Sweetser (R), Jack Long (D), Thomas Morse (L), Pete Diamondstone (T), Robert Melamede (T), Norio Kushi (T) and Write-In in the general election.[108]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 1996

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders incumbent | 55.2% | 140,678
| Republican  |  Susan Sweetser  | 32.6% | 83,021
| Democratic  |  Jack Long  | 9.4% | 23,830
| Libertarian  |  Thomas Morse  | 1.1% | 2,692
| Liberty Union  |  Pete Diamondstone  | 0.8% | 1,965
| Vermont Grassroots  |  Robert Melamede  | 0.5% | 1,350
| Natural Law  |  Norio Kushi  | 0.3% | 812
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.1% | 357
Total Votes | 254,705

1994

On November 8, 1994, Bernard Sanders won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Carroll (R), Jack Rogers (T), Carole Banus (T), Annette Larson (T) and Write-In in the general election.[109]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 1994

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders incumbent | 49.9% | 105,502
| Republican  |  John Carroll  | 46.6% | 98,523
| Grassroots  |  Jack Rogers  | 1.3% | 2,664
| Natural Law  |  Carole Banus  | 1.4% | 2,963
| Liberty Union  |  Annette Larson  | 0.7% | 1,493
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.1% | 304
Total Votes | 211,449

1992

On November 3, 1992, Bernard Sanders won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Lewis Young (D), Tom Philbin (R), Pete Diamondstone (T), Douglas Miller (T), John Dewey (T) and Write-In in the general election.[110]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 1992

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders incumbent | 57.8% | 162,724
| Democratic  |  Lewis Young  | 7.9% | 22,279
| Republican  |  Tom Philbin  | 30.9% | 86,901
| Liberty Union  |  Pete Diamondstone  | 1.3% | 3,660
| Freedom for LaRoche  |  Douglas Miller  | 0.7% | 2,049
| Natural Law/New Alliance  |  John Dewey  | 1.3% | 3,549
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.2% | 464
Total Votes | 281,626

1990

On November 6, 1990, Bernard Sanders won election to the United States House. He defeated Delores Sandoval (D), Peter Smith (R), Pete Diamondstone (T) and Write-In in the general election.[111]

U.S. House, Vermont At-Large District General Election, 1990

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Independent  | Bernard Sanders | 56% | 117,522
| Democratic  |  Delores Sandoval  | 3% | 6,315
| Republican  |  Peter Smith  | 39.5% | 82,939
| Liberty Union  |  Pete Diamondstone  | 0.9% | 1,965
| N/A  |  Write-In  | 0.5% | 1,116
Total Votes | 209,857

## Campaign themes[edit]

### 2018[edit]

#### Campaign website[edit]

Sanders' campaign website stated the following:

“  |

The American people must make a fundamental decision. Do we continue the 40-year decline of our middle class and the growing gap between the very rich and everyone else, or do we fight for a progressive economic agenda that creates jobs, raises wages, protects the environment and provides health care for all? Are we prepared to take on the enormous economic and political power of the billionaire class, or do we continue to slide into economic and political oligarchy? These are the most important questions of our time, and how we answer them will determine the future of our country.

* Income and Wealth Inequality
* It’s Time to Make College Tuition Free and Debt Free
* Getting Big Money Out of Politics and Restoring Democracy
* Creating Jobs Rebuilding America
* A Living Wage
* Combating Climate Change to Save the Planet
* A Fair and Humane Immigration Policy
* Racial Justice
* Fighting for Affordable Housing
* Fighting for Women’s Rights
* Working to Create an AIDS and HIV-Free Generation
* Fighting for LGBT Equality
* Empowering Tribal Nations
* Caring for our Veterans
* Medicare for All
* Strengthen and Expand Social Security
* Fighting to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
* Fighting for Disability Rights
* Ending the Humanitarian Crisis in Puerto Rico
* Standing With Guam
* Preventing a Global Race to the Bottom in the Airline Industry
* General Electric Must Pay to Restore the Hudson River
* Constitution Pipeline Must Be Defeated
* Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities
* Ending the Race to the Bottom
* Fighting for the Rights of Native Hawaiians
* Improving the Rural Economy
* Fighting for Nurses
* Reforming Wall Street
* Real Family Values
* War and Peace
* War Should Be the Last Option: Why I Support the Iran Deal
* Making the Wealthy, Wall Street, and Large Corporations Pay their Fair Share
* How Bernie pays for his proposals

[112]

|  ”

|
|

—Bernie Sanders’ campaign website (2018)[113]

## Presidential preference[edit]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Presidential election in Vermont, 2020 and Democratic National Convention, 2020

Sanders ran for president of the United States in 2020. After he withdrew, Sanders endorsed Joe Biden (D) in the 2020 presidential election.[114]

### 2016[edit]

See also: Presidential election in Vermont, 2016 and Democratic National Convention, 2016

Sanders ran for president of the United States in 2016. After he withdrew, Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton (D) in the 2016 presidential election. [115]

## Campaign donors[edit]

### Comprehensive donor history[edit]

* * *

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

* * *

Bernie Sanders campaign contribution history

Year | Office | Result | Contributions
2018 | U.S. Senate Vermont |  ✔ | $12,847,912
2012 | U.S. Senate (Vermont) |  ✔ | $7,229,492
2006 | U.S. Senate (Vermont) |  ✔ | $5,554,466
2004 | U.S. House (Vermont, At-large District) |  ✔ | $836,307
Grand total raised | $26,468,177

Source: Follow the Money

### 2018[edit]

U.S. Senate Vermont 2018 election - Campaign Contributions

Top industry contributors to Bernie Sanders's campaign in 2018
Government Agencies/Education/Other | $227,423.80
Labor | $118,256.91
Communications & Electronics | $49,920.22
Health | $46,587.70
Lawyers & Lobbyists | $35,913.64
Total Raised in 2018 | $12,847,911.67
Source: Follow the Money

U.S. Senate Vermont 2018 election - Campaign Contributions

Top individual contributors to Bernie Sanders's campaign in 2018
BECK, NICOLETTE | $8,083.33
MILLER, PATRICIA | $7,400.00
WOODLEY, SHAILENE | $6,787.00
WILLIAMS JR, JOHN EDDIE H | $5,400.00
LEWIS, JACQUELINE M | $5,400.00
Total Raised in 2018 | $12,847,911.67
Source: Follow the Money

### 2012[edit]

Sanders won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Sanders' campaign committee raised a total of $7,229,492 and spent $3,247,555.[116]

#### Cost per vote[edit]

Sanders spent $15.62 per vote received in 2012.

U.S. Senate, Vermont, 2012 - Bernie Sanders Campaign Contributions

Total Raised | $7,229,492
Total Spent | $3,247,555
Total Raised by Election Runner-up | $135,846
Total Spent by Election Runner-up | $131,928
Top contributors to Bernie Sanders's campaign committee
United Steelworkers| $10,550
American Assn for Justice| $10,500
National Education Assn| $10,400
American Federation of Teachers| $10,200
American Crystal Sugar| $10,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Retired| $502,170
Democratic/Liberal| $235,530
Public Sector Unions| $114,400
Lawyers/Law Firms| $105,499
Health Professionals| $82,972

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.

|

Breakdown of the source of Sanders' campaign funds before the 2012 election.

### 2006[edit]

Sanders won election to the U.S. Senate in 2006. During that election cycle, Sanders' campaign committee raised a total of $5,554,466 and spent $6,596,060.[117]

U.S. Senate, Vermont, 2006 - Bernie Sanders Campaign Contributions

Total Raised | $5,554,466
Total Spent | $6,596,060
Total Raised by General Election Opponent | $7,315,854
Total Spent by General Election Opponent | $7,300,392
Top contributors to Bernie Sanders's campaign committee
eScription Inc| $25,200
Baron & Budd| $18,000
Childrens Research & Education Institute| $16,000
Operating Engineers Union| $12,600
Laborers Union| $12,500
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Retired| $436,999
Democratic/Liberal| $187,666
Lawyers/Law Firms| $144,299
Education| $97,286
Transportation Unions| $74,600

To view the breakdown of campaign funding by type click [show] to expand the section.

|

Breakdown of the source of Sanders' campaign funds before the 2006 election.

## Personal Gain Index[edit]

See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a four-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of four different metrics:

* Changes in Net Worth
* The Donation Concentration Metric
* The K-Street Metric
* The Stock Oversight and Trades Metric

### PGI: Change in net worth[edit]

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Sanders' net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $116,014 to $804,998. That averages to $460,506, which is lower than the average net worth of independent Senate members in 2012 of $8,096,792.50. Sanders ranked as the 84th most wealthy senator in 2012.[118] Between 2004 and 2012, Sanders' calculated net worth[119] increased by an average of 29 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[120]

Bernie Sanders Yearly Net Worth

Year| Average Net Worth
2004| $140,383
2012| $460,506
Growth from 2004 to 2012:| 228%
Average annual growth:| 29%[121]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[122]
The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

### PGI: Donation Concentration Metric[edit]

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the 113th Congress, Sanders was the chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and chair of the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging. Sanders received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Retired industry.

From 1989-2014, 13.59 percent of Sanders' career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[123]

Bernie Sanders Campaign Contributions

Total Raised | $19,288,556
Total Spent | $15,481,680
Chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee
Chair of the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Retired| $1,083,260
Democratic/Liberal| $438,472
Industrial Unions| $405,882
Public Sector Unions| $386,015
Lawyers/Law Firms| $307,173
% total in top industry| 5.62%
% total in top two industries| 7.89%
% total in top five industries| 13.59%

## Analysis[edit]

### Like-minded colleagues[edit]

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often.[124]

Sanders most often votes with:

* Maria Cantwell

### Ideology and leadership[edit]

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Sanders was a "left leaning independent," as of August 20, 2014.[125] This was the same rating Sanders received in July 2013.[126]

### Lifetime voting record[edit]

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Sanders missed 83 of 2,766 roll call votes from January 2007 to September 2015. This amounts to 3 percent, which is worse than the median of 1.6 percent among current senators as of September 2015.[127]

### Congressional staff salaries[edit]

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Sanders paid his congressional staff a total of $2,395,679 in 2011. He ranked 2nd on the list of the lowest paid independent senatorial staff salaries and ranked 26th overall of the lowest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Vermont ranked 45th in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.[128]

### National Journal vote ratings[edit]

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

#### 2013[edit]

Sanders ranked 37th in the liberal rankings in 2013.[129]

#### 2012[edit]

Sanders ranked 32nd in the liberal rankings in 2012.[130]

#### 2011[edit]

Sanders ranked 29th in the liberal rankings in 2011.[131]

## Ballot measure activity[edit]

The following table details Sanders' ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:

Ballot measure support and opposition for Bernie Sanders

Ballot measure  |  Year  |  Position  |  Status
California Proposition 21, Local Rent Control Initiative (2020) |  2020  |  Supported[132] |  d Defeated
California Proposition 15, Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative (2020) |  2020  |  Supported[133] |  d Defeated
Oregon Measure 107, Campaign Finance Limits Amendment (2020) |  2020  |  Supported[134] |  a Approved
Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin, Revenue Limit Increase Measure (April 2020) |  2020  |  Supported[135] |  a Approved
Los Angeles County, California, Measure R, Civilian Police Oversight Commission and Jail Plan Initiative (March 2020) |  2020  |  Supported[136] |  a Approved
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Proposition 2, Democracy Dollars Program Initiative (November 2019) |  2019  |  Supported[137] |  d Defeated
California Proposition 10, Local Rent Control Initiative (2018) |  2018  |  Supported[138] |  d Defeated
Colorado Amendment 73, Establish Income Tax Brackets and Raise Taxes for Education Initiative (2018) |  2018  |  Supported[139] |  d Defeated
Colorado Amendment 74, Compensation to Owners for Decreased Property Value Due to State Regulation Initiative (2018) |  2018  |  Opposed[140] |  d Defeated
Colorado Proposition 112, Minimum Distance Requirements for New Oil, Gas, and Fracking Projects Initiative (2018) |  2018  |  Supported[141] |  d Defeated
Florida Amendment 4, Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative (2018) |  2018  |  Supported[142] |  a Approved
Massachusetts Question 1, Nurse-Patient Assignment Limits Initiative (2018) |  2018  |  Supported[143] |  d Defeated
Missouri Proposition A, Right to Work Referendum (August 2018) |  2018  |  Opposed[144] |  d Defeated
Washington Initiative 1631, Carbon Emissions Fee Measure (2018) |  2018  |  Supported[145] |  d Defeated
Ohio Issue 2, Drug Price Standards Initiative (2017) |  2017  |  Supported[146] |  d Defeated
California Proposition 59, Overturn of Citizens United Act Advisory Question (2016) |  2016  |  Supported[147] |  a Approved
California Proposition 61, Drug Price Standards (2016) |  2016  |  Supported[148] |  d Defeated
California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization (2016) |  2016  |  Supported[149] |  a Approved
Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016) |  2016  |  Supported[150] |  d Defeated
Massachusetts Authorization of Additional Charter Schools and Charter School Expansion, Question 2 (2016) |  2016  |  Opposed[151] |  d Defeated
Oregon Business Tax Increase, Measure 97 (2016) |  2016  |  Supported[152] |  d Defeated
Washington Minimum Wage Increase, Initiative 1433 (2016) |  2016  |  Supported[153] |  a Approved

## Noteworthy events[edit]

### Speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention[edit]

See also: Democratic National Convention, 2020

This section provides the transcript and video of the 2020 Democratic National Convention speech given by Sanders on August 17, 2020.

#### Transcript[edit]

“  |

Good evening. Our great nation is now living in an unprecedented moment.

We are facing the worst public health crisis in 100 years and the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression. We are confronting systemic racism and the enormous threat to our planet of climate change. And, in the midst of all of this, we have a president who is not only incapable of addressing these crises but is leading us down the path of authoritarianism.

This election is the most important in the modern history of this country. In response to the unprecedented crises we face, we need an unprecedented response—a movement, like never before, of people who are prepared to stand up and fight for democracy and decency—and against greed, oligarchy, and bigotry.

And we need Joe Biden as our next president.

Let me take this opportunity to say a word to the millions who supported my campaign this year and in 2016. My friends, thank you for your trust, your support, and the love you showed Jane, me, and our family.

Together we have moved this country in a bold new direction showing that all of us—Black and white, Latino, Native American, Asian American, gay and straight, native born and immigrant—yearn for a nation based on the principles of justice, love, and compassion. Our campaign ended several months ago, but our movement continues and is getting stronger every day. Many of the ideas we fought for, that just a few years ago were considered "radical," are now mainstream. But, let us be clear, if Donald Trump is re-elected, all the progress we have made will be in jeopardy.

Defending Democracy

At its most basic, this election is about preserving our democracy. During this president's term, the unthinkable has become normal. He has tried to prevent people from voting, undermined the U.S. Postal Service, deployed the military and federal agents against peaceful protesters, threatened to delay the election and suggested that he will not leave office if he loses. This is not normal, and we must never treat it like it is.

Under this administration authoritarianism has taken root in our country. I, and my family, and many of yours, know the insidious way authoritarianism destroys democracy, decency, and humanity. As long as I am here, I will work with progressives, with moderates, and, yes, with conservatives to preserve this nation from a threat that so many of our heroes fought and died to defeat.

The Pandemic

This president is not just a threat to our democracy, but by rejecting science, he has put our lives and health in jeopardy. Trump has attacked doctors and scientists trying to protect us from the pandemic, while refusing to take strong action to produce the masks, gowns, and gloves our health care workers desperately need.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned; Trump golfs. His actions fanned this pandemic resulting in over 170,000 deaths and a nation still unprepared to protect its people.

The Economic Crisis

Furthermore, Trump's negligence has exacerbated the economic crisis we are now experiencing.

Since this pandemic began, over 30 million people have lost their jobs and many have lost their health insurance. Millions of working families are wondering how they'll feed their kids and worried that they will be evicted from their homes.

And how has Trump responded? Instead of maintaining the $600 a week unemployment supplement that workers were receiving, and the $1,200 emergency checks that many of you received, instead of helping small businesses—Trump concocted fraudulent executive orders that do virtually nothing to address the crisis while threatening the very future of Social Security and Medicare.

Trump the Fraud

My friends, the American people have caught on that this president and his administration are, to put it bluntly, frauds.

In 2016, Trump promised he would stand with working families. He said that he would "drain the swamp," take on Wall Street and powerful special interests. He would protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and, by the way, he would provide health care to "everybody." Well. None of it was true.

Instead, he filled his administration with billionaires and gave trillions to the top 1 percent and large corporations. He tried to throw 32 million people off of their health insurance, eliminate protections for pre-existing conditions, and submitted budgets that proposed slashing Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Joe Biden

But the truth is that, even before Trump's negligent response to this pandemic, too many hard-working families have been caught on an economic treadmill with no hope of ever getting ahead. Together we must build a nation that is more equitable, more compassionate and more inclusive.

I know that Joe Biden will begin that fight on day one.

Let me offer you just a few examples of how Joe will move us forward.

Joe supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. This will give 40 million workers a pay raise and push the wage scale up for everyone else.

Joe will also make it easier for workers to join unions, create 12 weeks of paid family leave, fund universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year olds, and make child care affordable for millions of families.

Joe will rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and fight the threat of climate change by transitioning us to 100 percent clean electricity over the next fifteen years. These initiatives will create millions of good paying jobs all across the country.

As you know, we are the only industrialized nation not to guarantee health care for all people. While Joe and I disagree on the best path to get to universal coverage, he has a plan that will greatly expand health care and cut the cost of prescription drugs. Further, he will lower the eligibility age of Medicare from 65 to 60.

To help reform our broken criminal justice system Joe will end private prisons and detention centers, cash bail, and the school to prison pipeline.

And to heal the soul of our nation, Joe Biden will end the hate and division Trump has created. He will stop the demonization of immigrants, the coddling of white nationalists, the racist dog whistling, the religious bigotry, and the ugly attacks on women.

My friends, I say to you, to everyone who supported other candidates in the primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election: The future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake. We must come together, defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president. My friends, the price of failure is just too great to imagine.[112]

|  ”

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—Sen. Bernie Sanders, August 17, 2020[154]

#### Video[edit]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) at the 2020 Democratic National Convention

## Personal[edit]

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Sanders lives in Burlington, Vermont, with his wife Jane O’Meara. Sanders and his wife have four children.[11]

## Recent news[edit]

This section links to a Google news search for the term Bernie + Sanders + Vermont + Senate

Bernie Sanders News Feed

## See also[edit]

* United States Senate
* U.S. Senate delegation from Vermont

## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

President of the United States

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## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 CNN, "Bernie Sanders launches second presidential campaign," February 19, 2019
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Politico, "Bernie Sanders suspends his presidential campaign," April 8, 2020
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The New York Times, "Bernie Sanders Announces He Is Running for President," April 29, 2015
4. ↑ Time, "Sen. Bernie Sanders Wins Vermont Democratic Primary, but Is Expected to Turn It Down," August 14, 2018
5. ↑ Biographical Guide to Members of Congress, "Bernie Sanders," accessed October 12, 2011
6. ↑ Chicago Magazine, "Bernie Sanders Found Socialism at the University of Chicago," May 4, 2015
7. ↑ The Atlantic, "Bernie Sanders, the Socialist Mayor," October 5, 2015
8. ↑ Roll Call, "Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.)," accessed March 8, 2016
9. ↑ The Green Papers, "2016 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions: Democratic Convention," accessed July 3, 2019
10. ↑ The Hill, "Sanders to give speech defending democratic socialism," June 8, 2019
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Official Senate website, "About page," accessed October 12, 2011
12. ↑ United States Senate, "Committee Assignments of the 115th Congress," accessed January 19, 2017
13. ↑ United States Senate, "Committee Assignments of the 114th Congress," accessed February 17, 2015
14. ↑ Congressional Quarterly, "Senate Committee List," accessed January 22, 2013
15. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment with an Amendment)," December 18, 2018
16. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2)," December 11, 2018
17. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Nomination (Confirmation Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," October 6, 2018
18. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Brett M. Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," October 5, 2018
19. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2, As Amended)," June 28, 2018
20. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1959)," February 15, 2018
21. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1958 As Modified)," February 15, 2018
22. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1948)," February 15, 2018
23. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Amdt. No. 1955)," February 15, 2018
24. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to the Consideration of S. 2311)," January 29, 2018
25. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Amendment (McConnell Amdt. No. 667)," July 28, 2017
26. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Amendment (Paul Amdt. No. 271 )," July 26, 2017
27. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Amdt. No. 270)," July 25, 2017
28. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Proceed to H.R. 1628)," July 25, 2017
29. ↑ U.S. Senate, "On the Nomination (Confirmation: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," April 7, 2017
30. ↑ U.S. Senate, "On the Cloture Motion (Upon Reconsideration, Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," April 6, 2017
31. ↑ U.S. Senate, "On the Decision of the Chair (Shall the Decision of the Chair Stand as the Judgment of the Senate?)," April 6, 2017
32. ↑ U.S. Senate, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States)," April 6, 2017
33. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 6157)," September 18, 2018
34. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 5895)," September 12, 2018
35. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H. R. 6157 As Amended)," August 23, 2018
36. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 5895 As Amended)," June 25, 2018
37. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1625)," March 23, 2018
38. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1892 with an Amendment (SA 1930))," February 9, 2018
39. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 695)," February 8, 2018
40. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment with Further Amendment)," January 22, 2018
41. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 195)," January 22, 2018
42. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture: House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 195)," January 19, 2018
43. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1370)," December 21, 2017
44. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion to Recede from the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1 and Concur with Further Amendment ," December 20, 2017
45. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Joint Resolution (H.J. Res. 123)," December 7, 2017
46. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1 As Amended )," December 2, 2017
47. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Concurrent Resolution (H. Con. Res. 71 As Amended)," October 19, 2017
48. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amdt. to the Senate Amdt. with an Amdt. No. 808 to H.R. 601)," September 7, 2017
49. ↑ U.S. Senate, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 244)," May 4, 2017
50. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 54, As Amended), December 13, 2018
51. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2810 As Amended)," September 18, 2017
52. ↑ The Hill, "Senate sends $692B defense policy bill to Trump's desk," November 15, 2017
53. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 3364)," July 27, 2017
54. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (S. 722 As Amended)," June 15, 2017
55. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 113th Congress," accessed April 29, 2015
56. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 114th Congress," accessed January 5, 2017
57. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress," April 13, 2015
58. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1314," accessed May 25, 2015
59. ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 1314 (Ensuring Tax Exempt Organizations the Right to Appeal Act)," accessed May 25, 2015
60. ↑ Senate.gov, "Roll Call for HR 2146," June 24, 2015
61. ↑ The Hill, "Senate approves fast-track, sending trade bill to White House," June 24, 2015
62. ↑ The Hill, "Obama signs trade bills," June 29, 2015
63. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.Con.Res.11," accessed May 5, 2015
64. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany S. Con. Res. 11)," accessed May 5, 2015
65. ↑ The Hill, "Republicans pass a budget, flexing power of majority," accessed May 5, 2015
66. ↑ The Hill, "Redone defense policy bill sails through House," accessed November 12, 2015
67. ↑ Congress.gov, "S. 1356," accessed November 12, 2015
68. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1356)," accessed November 12, 2015
69. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 618," accessed November 12, 2015
70. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture Re: Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1735)," accessed October 6, 2015
71. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239," accessed May 27, 2015
72. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R. 1735," accessed May 27, 2015
73. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
74. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314)," accessed November 1, 2015
75. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 579," accessed November 1, 2015
76. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1191," accessed May 8, 2015
77. ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 1191," accessed May 8, 2015
78. ↑ Senate.gov, "S.Amdt. 2640 to H.J.Res. 61 (Hire More Heroes Act of 2015)," accessed September 10, 2015
79. ↑ Congress.gov, "HJ Res 61," accessed September 10, 2015
80. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 16, 2015
81. ↑ Congress.gov, "HJ Res 61," accessed September 10, 2015
82. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2640 )," accessed September 17, 2015
83. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640," accessed September 17, 2015
84. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on McConnell Amdt. No. 2656)," accessed September 17, 2015
85. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2048," accessed May 26, 2015
86. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 2048)," accessed June 2, 2015
87. ↑ Congress.gov, "S 754," accessed November 1, 2015
88. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Passage of the Bill (S. 754, As Amended)," accessed November 1, 2015
89. ↑ Congress.gov, "S 2146," accessed November 2, 2015
90. ↑ Senate.gov, "On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 2146)," accessed November 2, 2015
91. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
92. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
93. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "PN 48 - Nomination of John Brennan to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
94. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "HR 325 - To Ensure the Complete and Timely Payment of the Obligations of the United States Government Until May 19, 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
95. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
96. ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 2775 As Amended," accessed October 31, 2013
97. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "S Amdt 1197 - Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
98. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "S 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013
99. ↑ U.S. Senate, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
100. ↑ Bernie 2016, "Portsmouth Organizing Event with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton," July 12, 2016
101. ↑ VermontElections.org, "Official primary candidate list"
102. ↑ Associated Press, "primary results"
103. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
104. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
105. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
106. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
107. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998," accessed March 28, 2013
108. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996," accessed March 28, 2013
109. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994," accessed March 28, 2013
110. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1992," accessed March 28, 2013
111. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990," accessed March 28, 2013
112. ↑ 112.0 112.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
113. ↑ Bernie Sanders’ campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 18, 2018
114. ↑ Joe Biden , "Endorsements," accessed June 22, 2021
115. ↑ The Hill, "Sanders endorses Clinton," July 12, 2016
116. ↑ Open Secrets, "Sanders 2012 Election Cycle," accessed July 3, 2013
117. ↑ Open Secrets, "Bernie Sanders 2006 Election Cycle," accessed November 26, 2011
118. ↑ OpenSecrets, "Sanders, 2012," accessed January 14, 2014
119. ↑ This figure represents the average annual percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or their first year in office (as noted in the chart below) to 2012, divided by the number of years calculated.
120. ↑ This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
121. ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
122. ↑ This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see the Congressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
123. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Sen. Bernie Sanders," accessed October 2, 2014
124. ↑ OpenCongress, "Bernie Sanders," accessed September 28, 2015
125. ↑ GovTrack, "Bernie Sanders," accessed August 20, 2014
126. ↑ GovTrack, "Bernie Sanders," accessed July 3, 2013
127. ↑ GovTrack, "Sen. Bernard “Bernie” Sanders (I)," accessed September 28, 2015
128. ↑ LegiStorm, "Bernie Sanders"
129. ↑ National Journal, "Congressional Vote Ratings," August 20, 2014
130. ↑ National Journal, "Congressional Vote Ratings," February 28, 2013
131. ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: Senate," accessed February 23, 2012
132. ↑ BusinessWire, "Sen. Bernie Sanders Endorses California’s Rental Affordability Act," November 16, 2019
133. ↑ Twitter, "Carla Marinucci," July 25, 2019
134. ↑ Twitter, "Post by Bernie Sanders on October 16, 2020
135. ↑ Journal Times, "Sanders follows Biden in endorsing Unified referendum; 'Yes' campaign is surprised," April 1, 2020
136. ↑ Twitter, "Post by Reform LA Jails on February 3, 2020
137. ↑ Twitter, "Bernie Sanders," November 5, 2019
138. ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Bernie Sanders backs CA rent-control measure, candidate Jovanka Beckles," October 29, 2018
139. ↑ Twitter, "GSTC2018," October 24, 2018
140. ↑ Twitter, "Bernie Sanders," October 28, 2018
141. ↑ Medium, "Bernie Sanders endorses Prop 112," October 29, 2018
142. ↑ Twitter, "Bernie Sanders," September 26, 2018
143. ↑ Mass Live, "U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders endorses nurse staffing ballot question," accessed October 29, 2018
144. ↑ Twitter, "Bernie Sanders," August 6, 2018
145. ↑ Twitter, "Bernie Sanders," October 28, 2018
146. ↑ The Columbus Dispatch, "Sanders endorses Ohio Drug Price Relief Act," July 24, 2017
147. ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Prop. 59 would put Californians on record against Citizens United," October 5, 2016
148. ↑ East County Magazine, "Sanders Backs Ballot Measure To Lower Prescription Drug Costs In California," May 10, 2016
149. ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "Bernie Sanders endorses California marijuana initiative," May 18, 2016
150. ↑ ColoradoCare Yes, "Endorsers," accessed October 10, 2016
151. ↑ CBS Local, "Bernie Sanders Weighs In On Mass. Charter School Ballot Question," November 2, 2016
152. ↑ Eugene Weekly, "Bernie Sanders endorses Oregon Ballot Measure 97," October 19, 2016
153. ↑ Raise Up Washington, "Endorsements," accessed September 20, 2016
154. ↑ NPR, "Bernie Sanders' Speech To The Democratic National Convention," August 17, 2020

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