Track Bernie's sponsored bills, co-sponsored legislation, and voting record
The Pensions for All Act mandates that all employers and self-employed individuals must provide a retirement plan equivalent to FERS or participate directly in FERS, while also establishing pathways and incentives for non-federal workers to join the federal system.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Pensions for All Act mandates that all employers and self-employed individuals must provide a retirement plan equivalent to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or enroll participants in FERS itself. This legislation also creates a pathway for non-Federal employees and the self-employed to participate directly in FERS, including crediting their service time. Furthermore, the bill establishes a new, tiered federal income tax credit to incentivize retirement contributions for smaller entities. Finally, it imposes a daily penalty tax on employers and the self-employed who fail to meet these new retirement coverage requirements.
This Act prohibits the use of U.S. military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress through a declaration of war or a specific law, subject to War Powers Resolution requirements.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The No War Against Iran Act prohibits the President from using U.S. military force in or against Iran without explicit authorization from Congress. This means no federal funds can be spent on such military action unless Congress formally declares war or passes a specific new law authorizing the use of force, in accordance with the War Powers Resolution. The bill maintains existing requirements for presidential reporting and consultation regarding military actions.
This Act prohibits pharmaceutical companies from advertising prescription drugs directly to consumers within the 30 days preceding the law's enactment and going forward.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act prohibits pharmaceutical companies from advertising prescription drugs directly to consumers within the final 30 days before a drug's approval or license expires. This ban covers all forms of direct-to-consumer marketing, including television, internet, and print advertisements. The new restriction takes effect 30 days after the Act becomes law.
The College for All Act of 2025 establishes federal-state partnerships and grants to eliminate tuition and fees at public institutions, expands Pell Grants, and increases funding for minority-serving institutions and student success programs.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The College for All Act of 2025 establishes a federal-state partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees at public colleges for eligible students, while also creating grants to cover costs at private HBCUs and MSIs. The bill significantly increases funding for Federal Pell Grants, expands eligibility to include "Dreamer students," and introduces new grants to improve student success at underfunded institutions. Overall, this comprehensive legislation aims to make public higher education tuition-free and increase support for students at minority-serving institutions.
This Act establishes a system to review and reduce excessively priced brand-name prescription drugs by comparing U.S. prices to international benchmarks and potentially revoking manufacturer monopolies to allow for generic competition.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2025 establishes a system for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review brand-name drugs priced excessively high compared to international benchmarks or other factors. If a price is deemed excessive, the bill immediately cancels the manufacturer's government-granted monopolies, allowing generic and biosimilar competition to begin quickly. The Act also mandates comprehensive annual reporting from manufacturers on pricing, R&D, and marketing costs, which will be made public via a new database.
The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2025 establishes significant annual funding levels for federal water and sanitation programs, mandates comprehensive reporting on service equity and affordability, and updates state revolving funds to support infrastructure buyouts, subsidies, and lead line replacement.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2025 significantly increases federal funding allocations for clean water, drinking water, and rural water infrastructure programs. It mandates comprehensive reporting on water affordability and discrimination issues while allowing states greater flexibility in using revolving funds, including purchasing private water systems. The Act also establishes new grant opportunities for lead line replacement and PFAS contamination cleanup, and institutes requirements for Project Labor Agreements on funded construction projects. Finally, it updates definitions to expand drinking water assistance eligibility for underserved border communities known as colonias.
This comprehensive bill establishes a universal, single-payer "Medicare for All" national health insurance program, eliminating most private insurance duplication while expanding benefits, eliminating most cost-sharing, and restructuring provider payments under a national budget.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Medicare for All Act establishes a comprehensive, universal national health insurance program to cover all U.S. residents, eliminating most private insurance duplication and nearly all out-of-pocket costs for covered services. The bill mandates extensive benefits, including long-term care, and institutes a strict National Health Budget to control overall spending through global payments for facilities and negotiated drug prices. It also includes a transition period that immediately enhances current Medicare by eliminating deductibles and adding dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
This Senate resolution expresses disapproval of a proposed plan to lay off up to 83,000 Department of Veterans Affairs employees and demands the rescission of the VA's current reorganization plan.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This Senate resolution expresses strong disapproval of a reported plan by President Trump and Elon Musk to reduce the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce by up to 83,000 employees. The resolution demands that the VA immediately cease any current reorganization or staff reduction plans. Ultimately, it calls for the cancellation of any proposed mass layoffs affecting veterans' care and benefits staff.
The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 phases in increases to the federal minimum wage, eliminates subminimum wages for tipped employees and workers with disabilities, and sets a timeline for ending the subminimum wage for young workers.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 systematically increases the federal minimum wage to \$17.00 per hour over five years, after which it will be indexed to median wage growth. This legislation also phases out the subminimum wage for tipped employees and workers with disabilities, requiring them to eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, the bill repeals the special minimum wage for workers under 20 once their rate catches up to the standard minimum.
This joint resolution disapproves and halts the export of 2,300 specific automatic Colt M4 carbines valued at over \$1 million destined for the Israel National Police.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and halt a specific proposed defense export to Israel. It immediately prohibits the shipment of 2,300 fully automatic Colt M4 carbines and related components valued at $1 million or more. The blocked export was intended for the Israel National Police via M. R. D. Efram Investments Ltd.
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and halt the proposed export of specific military rifles and components destined for the Israel National Police.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and halt a specific proposed export of defense articles from the United States to Israel. The blocked shipment includes over 5,000 rifles and related components valued at a minimum of $1,000,000. These tightly controlled military items were intended for use by the Israel National Police.
This joint resolution disapproves and halts the proposed export of 20,000 Colt Carbine rifles to Israel intended for the Israel National Police.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and halt a specific proposed export of defense articles to Israel. It specifically blocks the shipment of 20,000 Colt Carbine fully automatic rifles, valued at over \$1 million. The resolution targets items controlled under Category I of the United States Munitions List intended for the Israel National Police.
The Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025 adds comprehensive dental, hearing aid, and routine vision care coverage to Medicare starting in 2027, while phasing in the premium impact for beneficiaries.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025 significantly broadens Medicare coverage by adding comprehensive benefits for dental, hearing aids, and routine vision care starting in 2027. This legislation establishes new fee schedules, payment rules, and utilization limits for these services under Medicare Part B. Furthermore, the bill includes a five-year phase-in plan (2026–2030) to gradually incorporate the cost of the new dental coverage into the standard Part B premium calculation for enrollees aged 65 and older.
This joint resolution seeks to block the sale of certain defense articles and services, including Caterpillar D9 bulldozers, to the Israeli government.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This joint resolution aims to block the proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the Israeli government, specifically targeting the sale of D9R and D9T Caterpillar bulldozers and related support items. The resolution expresses congressional disapproval of the sale, effectively preventing the transfer of these items to Israel.
Blocks the sale of specific defense articles and services to Israel due to concerns over recent cost increases.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This joint resolution seeks to block the sale of specific defense articles and services to Israel, as detailed in Transmittal No. 250C. The resolution disapproves of the proposed enhancement or upgrade, which includes a significant increase in both Major Defense Equipment and non-MDE value. The justification for this disapproval cites recent cost increases associated with the sale.
This joint resolution disapproves of the proposed sale of certain defense articles and services to Israel.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This joint resolution seeks to block the proposed sale of specific defense articles and services to the Israeli government. The resolution specifically disapproves of selling MK 84 or BLU117 General Purpose bomb bodies, I2000 Penetrator warheads, and related logistical support.
This resolution seeks to block the sale of certain U.S. defense articles and services, including bombs and guidance kits, to the Israeli government.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This joint resolution seeks to block the proposed sale of specific defense articles and services to the Israeli government. The resolution specifically targets the sale of thousands of 1,000-pound bomb bodies, as well as Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits designed for use with these bombs. It also halts related support services from both the U.S. government and contractors. Effectively, the resolution disapproves of the U.S. proceeding with the Transmittal No. 2526 sale of these items to Israel.
The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 significantly strengthens worker rights by overhauling the NLRA to impose stricter penalties on employers, redefine joint employment, protect striking workers, and mandate binding arbitration for first contracts.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the National Labor Relations Act to bolster worker organizing rights and impose stricter penalties on employers who violate labor laws. It redefines joint employment, makes it harder to classify workers as independent contractors, and bans class action waivers. The bill also establishes mandatory arbitration for first contracts and allows employees to sue employers directly for serious unfair labor practices.
This resolution calls for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
This resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from all territories within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. It condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine, citing violations of international law and human rights, and emphasizing the need to end attacks against Ukraine.
The Social Security Expansion Act increases Social Security benefits, changes cost-of-living adjustments, extends benefits to student children, raises payroll taxes on high earners, taxes investment gains, and establishes a new Social Security Trust Fund.
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
Bernard Sanders
Senator
VT
The Social Security Expansion Act aims to increase Social Security benefits across the board, including increased cost-of-living adjustments, expanded eligibility for students, and a higher minimum benefit for low-income earners. To fund these expansions, the bill raises payroll taxes on earnings above $250,000 and increases taxes on investment gains. It also establishes a new "Social Security Trust Fund" to manage the program's finances.