Democratic Candidate: Bernie Sanders

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders is the Independent junior United States Senator from Vermont and a  grassroots candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.Bernie is married and has been an environmental and civil rights activist for 50 years.

On the Issues:

Progressive


Abortion:

• Voted NO on restricting UN funding for population control policies. (Mar 2009)
• Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
• Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
• Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
• Voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
• Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
• Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
• Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
• Voted NO on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
• Voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
• Voted NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
• Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Emergency contraception for rape victims at all hospitals. (Sep 2006)
• Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)
• Provide emergency contraception at military facilities. (Apr 2007)
• Require pharmacies to fulfill contraceptive prescriptions. (Jul 2011)
• Ban anti-abortion limitations on abortion services. (Nov 2013)
• Protect the reproductive rights of women. (Jan 1993)
• Ensure access to and funding for contraception. (Feb 2007)
• Focus on preventing pregnancy, plus emergency contraception. (Jan 2009) 

On the Economy:

• Break up large banks; add fees for high-risk investments. (Apr 2015)
• Comprehensive 12-step agenda for moving America forward. (Jan 2015)
• Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
• Voted YES on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (May 2009)
• Voted YES on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Feb 2009)
• Voted YES on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
• Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
• More enforcement of mortgage fraud and TARP fraud. (May 2009)
• Ban abusive credit practices & enhance consumer disclosure. (Feb 2009) 

On Social Security:

• Strengthen the social safety net, instead of weakening it. (Mar 2015)
• We must strengthen the social safety net, not weaken it. (Jan 2015)
• Despite GOP rhetoric, Social Security is NOT going bankrupt. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox. (May 1999)
• Changing Social Security disproportionately affects women. (May 2001)
• Reject proposals for private saving accounts. (May 2002)
• Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Reject privatization; don't raise the retirement age. (Aug 2010)
• Sponsored keeping CPI for benefits instead of lower "Chained CPI". (Apr 2013)
• Rated 100% by ARA, indicating a pro-Trust Fund stance. (Jan 2013) 

On Civil Rights: 

• Equal pay for equal work by women. (Mar 2015)
• Bush’s tracking citizens’ phone call patterns is illegal. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. (Feb 2013)
• Voted NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
• Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
• Voted NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
• Voted NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
• Voted NO on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender. (Mar 2001)
• Rated 93% by the ACLU, indicating a pro-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
• Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
• ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays. (Jun 2009)
• Prohibit sexual-identity discrimination at schools. (Mar 2011)
• Endorsed as "preferred" by The Feminist Majority indicating pro-women's rights. (Aug 2012)
• Enforce against wage discrimination based on gender. (Jan 2013)
• Enforce against anti-gay discrimination in public schools. (Jun 2013)
• Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)

On Gun Control:

• Mixed approach to gun control vs. gun rights. (Apr 2015)
• Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. (Apr 2013)
• Voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains. (Apr 2009)
• Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
• Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
• Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003) 

On Drugs: 

• Voted NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism. (Sep 2001)
• Voted NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. (Sep 1998)
• Legalize medical marijuana. (Jul 2001)
• Exclude industrial hemp from definition of marijuana. (Aug 2012)
• Exempt industrial hemp from marijuana laws. (Mar 2013) 

On Education: 

$18B to fund two years free tuition at state colleges. (Apr 2015) College loan repayment is regressive; refinance & forgive. (Apr 2015) Quality affordable education, from child care to higher ed. (Mar 2015) Make college affordable for everyone. (Jan 2015) Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Oct 2007) Voted YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006) Voted YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006) Voted NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. (Nov 2001) Voted YES on requiring states to test students. (May 2001) Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998) Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997) Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994) Reduce class size to 18 children in grades 1 to 3. (Mar 2001) Rated 83% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003) $25B to renovate or repair elementary schools. (Sep 2011) Sponsored extending subsidized federal student loan rates until 2015. (Apr 2013) Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible. (Jan 1993) Don't count combat pay against free school lunch. (Mar 2009)

On Energy and Oil:

• Charge companies for carbon emissions; then fund renewables. (Apr 2015)
• Transform to sustainable system & away from fossil fuels. (Mar 2015)
• Weatherize millions of homes and buildings. (Jan 2015)
• Voted NO on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011)
• Voted NO on protecting middle-income taxpayers from a national energy tax. (Apr 2009)
• Voted NO on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade. (Apr 2009)
• Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (Jun 2008)
• Voted YES on addressing CO2 emissions without considering India & China. (May 2008)
• Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy. (Jun 2004)
• Voted NO on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels. (Aug 2001)
• Voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR. (Aug 2001)
• Voted YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000)
• Regulate wholesale electricity & gas prices. (Mar 2001)
• Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it. (Feb 2001)
• Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
• Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Jan 2007)
• Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)
• Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)
• Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards. (Jan 2008) 

On The Environment: 

• Cut subsidies of wealthy farmers; increase grazing fees. (Jun 1997)
• Voted YES on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. (May 2013)
• Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Aug 2009)
• Voted NO on prohibiting eminent domain for use as parks or grazing land. (Dec 2007)
• Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
• Voted NO on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
• Voted NO on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
• Prohibits commercial logging on Federal public lands. (Apr 2001)
• Rated 90% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
• Promote conservation of rare felids & canids. (Mar 2007)
• Make tax deduction permanent for conservation easements. (Mar 2009)
• Regulate all dog breeders down to kennels of 50 dogs. (Feb 2011)
• Prohibit invasive research on great apes. (Apr 2011)
• Prohibits breeding or possessing Big Cat species. (Sep 2012)
• Rated 100% by HSLF, indicating a pro-animal welfare voting record. (Jan 2012)
• Require labeling genetically engineered food. (Apr 2013)
• Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007) 

On Families and Children:

• Voted NO on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
• Voted NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years. (Mar 2001)
• Member of the Missing & Exploited Children's Caucus. (Jan 2001)
• Rated 7% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-Family-Value voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Ban high lead levels in children's toys. (Nov 2005)
• More funding & services for victims of domestic violence. (Jan 2013) 

On Foreign Policy:

• Focus on domestic needs instead of international conflict. (Apr 2015)
• Voted NO on cooperating with India as a nuclear power. (Oct 2008)
• Voted YES on deterring foreign arms transfers to China. (Jul 2005)
• Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
• Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
• Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
• Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)
• Allow Americans to travel to Cuba. (May 2000)
• Member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. (Jan 2001)
• Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)
• Urge China to respect religious freedom. (Mar 2001)
• Impose sanctions and an import ban on Burma. (Oct 2007)
• Remove African National Congress from terrorist list. (May 2008)
• Implement Darfur Peace Agreement with UN peacekeeping force. (Feb 2008)
• Seeds of Peace: promote coexistence in regions of conflict. (Apr 2008)
• Rated +2 by AAI, indicating pro-Arab pro-Palestine voting record. (May 2012)
• Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet. (Apr 2008)
• Allow travel between the United States and Cuba. (Feb 2009) 

On Free Trade: 

• End disastrous NAFTA, CAFTA, and PNTR with China. (Mar 2015)
• Stop TPP, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Jan 2015)
• Voted NO on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
• Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
• Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
• Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
• Rated 33% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)
• Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)
• Review free trade agreements biennially for rights violation. (Jun 2009)
• Impose tariffs against countries which manipulate currency. (Feb 2011)
• No MFN for China; condition trade on human rights. (Nov 1999) 

On Government Reforms: 

• Constitutional amendment to reverse Citizen United ruling. (Apr 2015)
• Citizens United opens up the road to oligarchy. (Sep 2014)
• Underclass see the political deck stacked; and don't vote. (Mar 2014)
• Introduced Federal Reserve Transparency Act with Ron Paul. (Sep 2010)
• Voted YES on Congressional pay raise. (Jul 2009)
• Voted YES on providing a US House seat for the District of Columbia. (Feb 2009)
• Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
• Voted NO on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
• Voted NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
• Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on limiting attorney's fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
• Voted YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions. (Feb 2002)
• Voted NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties. (Jul 2001)
• Voted YES on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
• Proportional IRV voting for Electoral College. (Mar 2001)
• Criminalize false or deceptive info about elections. (Nov 2005)
• Require full disclosure of independent campaign expenditures. (Jul 2012)
• Matching fund for small donors, with debate requirements. (Apr 2013) 

On Healthcare: 

• Voted for ObamaCare; but prefers single-payer system. (Apr 2015)
• Move toward a single-payer system. (Mar 2015)
• Voted NO on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (May 2011)
• Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Jun 2009)
• Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
• Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
• Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
• Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
• Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
• Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
• Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
• Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
• Voted NO on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
• Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on allowing suing HMOs, but under federal rules & limited award. (Aug 2001)
• Voted NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
• MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare. (Jan 2001)
• Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
• Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
• Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
• Increase funding for occupational & physical therapy. (Apr 2011)
• Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)
• Provide for treatment of autism under TRICARE. (Jun 2009)
• Sponsored bill expanding the National Health Service Corps. (Mar 2009)
• Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998)
• Make health care a right, not a privilege. (Nov 1999) 

On Homeland Security: 

• Cut defense by $18B to pay for 55% of all college tuition. (Apr 2015)
• Don't let released terrorists get back onto the battlefield. (Jun 2014)
• V.A. doesn't have resources to accommodate 2 million vets. (May 2014)
• F-35 fighter planes OK at Burlington Airport. (Oct 2012)
• End nuclear weapons and B-2 bomber production. (Jun 1997)
• Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011)
• Voted NO on cutting $221M in benefits to Filipinos who served in WWII US Army. (Apr 2008)
• Voted YES on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls. (Feb 2008)
• Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
• Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
• Voted NO on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
• Voted NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
• Voted YES on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)
• Voted NO on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
• Voted NO on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
• Voted YES on permitting commercial airline pilots to carry guns. (Jul 2002)
• Voted NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill. (Jul 1999)
• Voted NO on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
• End the use of anti-personnel mines. (Mar 2001)
• Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Extend reserve retirement pay parity back to 9/11. (Dec 2007)
• Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays. (Mar 2010)
• Non-proliferation includes disposing of nuclear materials. (Aug 2014)
• Address abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace. (Apr 1993)
• Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror. (Jun 2007) 

On Immigration:

• Offer path to citizenship; waive deportation for DREAMers. (Apr 2015)
• Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
• Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
• Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
• Voted NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)
• Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006) 

On Jobs:

• Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. (Mar 2015)
• Corporate opposition makes union organizing difficult. (Mar 2015)
• Create worker-owned cooperatives & grow unions. (Jan 2015)
• Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Nov 2008)
• Voted YES on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
• Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on limiting farm subsidies to people earning under $750,000. (Dec 2007)
• Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
• Voted NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
• Voted NO on $167B over 10 years for farm price supports. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on zero-funding OSHA's Ergonomics Rules instead of $4.5B. (Mar 2001)
• Member of the Congressional Rural Caucus. (Jan 2001)
• Require full disclosure of outsourced employees. (Feb 2001)
• Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
• Form unions by card-check instead of secret ballot. (Mar 2009)
• Raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour by 2016. (Jan 2014)
• Extend unemployment compensation during recession. (Jan 2008)
• Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue. (Jan 2009)
• Stronger enforcement against gender-based pay discrimination. (Jan 2009) 

On War and Peace:

• Get Saudis & regional powers involved with fighting ISIS. (Oct 2014)
• Arm the Peshmerga against ISIS, as international effort. (Oct 2014)
• Voted YES on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists. (Sep 2007)
• Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops. (Mar 2004)
• Voted NO on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
• Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
• Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
• Require Congress' approval before military action in Iran. (Oct 2007) 

 Next up:  Mike Huckabee