Bernard Sanders

U.S. Senator · VT

Independent

Want to know how closely Bernard matches your views?

Where Bernard stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Some evidence
Raise taxes on corporations and high earners to fund major new programs
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Sponsored Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act, Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act, and Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act to fund expanded programs.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 50 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted No · Feb 2026 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.
Voted Yes · Feb 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Interim Guidance Simplifying Application of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax to Partnerships".
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act
Sponsored — Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2025
Sponsored — End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025
Sponsored — College for All Act of 2025
Sponsored — Social Security Expansion Act
+45 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
Clear record
Expand benefits and broaden eligibility
Reduce or restructure benefitsExpand benefits
Sponsored Social Security Expansion Act, Medicare for All Act, and Medicare Dental Hearing Vision Expansion Act; voted yes on Social Security Fairness Act (2024).
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 25 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Dec 2024 — Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act
Sponsored — Medicare for All Act
Sponsored — Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025
Sponsored — Social Security Expansion Act
Sponsored — Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act
+20 more
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Some evidence
Significantly raise the minimum wage and strengthen union organizing rights
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Sponsored Raise the Wage Act of 2025 and the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 strengthening union organizing.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 5 votes · 47 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Apr 2024 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Voted No · Jul 2023 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100.
Voted No · Dec 2022 — To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees.
Voted Yes · Jun 2021 — Paycheck Fairness Act
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026
Sponsored — Protecting America’s Workers Act
Sponsored — Healthy Families Act
Sponsored — Pay Teachers Act
Sponsored — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the plan of President Trump and Elon Musk to fire 83,000 employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs is unacceptable and must be rescinded.
+42 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Clear record
Transition to a single-payer (Medicare for All) system
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Sponsored Medicare for All Act (2025) and Prescription Drug Price Relief Act; voted yes on Lower Health Care Costs Act cloture (2025).
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 45 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted Yes · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Health Care Workforce Expansion Act of 2025
Sponsored — Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2025
Sponsored — Medicare for All Act
Sponsored — Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025
Sponsored — Comprehensive Dental Reform Act of 2024
+40 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Rapid federal action to transition off fossil fuels
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Sponsored End Polluter Welfare and Climate Emergency Acts; cosponsored Keep It in the Ground Act and the Green New Deal.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 56 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
+11 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025
Sponsored — End Polluter Welfare Act of 2024
Sponsored — Green New Deal for Public Housing Act
Sponsored — A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that there is a climate emergency which demands a massive-scale mobilization to halt, reverse, and address its consequences and causes.
Sponsored — Energy Security and Independence Act of 2022
+51 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal protection for abortion access throughout pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Cosponsored Women's Health Protection Act and Reproductive Freedom for Women Act; voted to protect VA Reproductive Health Services rule (2026).
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 36 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voted Yes · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Access to Family Building Act
Cosponsored — Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Cosponsored — Protecting National Access to Reproductive Care Act of 2022
Cosponsored — Affordability is Access Act
+31 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Some evidence
Comprehensive federal firearm restrictions including bans and registration
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Cosponsored Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, Keep Americans Safe Act (magazine limits), and Background Check Expansion Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 26 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jun 2023 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".
Voted Yes · Jun 2022 — Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act
Cosponsored — Age 21 Act
Cosponsored — Keep Americans Safe Act
Cosponsored — Assault Weapons Ban of 2023
Cosponsored — Responsible Firearms Marketing Act
+21 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Significantly expand immigration; limit interior enforcement
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Voted no on Laken Riley and Secure America Acts; cosponsored U.S. Citizenship Act, Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, and ICE Out of Our Faces Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 49 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — College for All Act of 2023
Cosponsored — GRACE Act
Cosponsored — U.S. Citizenship Act
Cosponsored — Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929
Cosponsored — PROTECT Immigration Act
+44 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Some evidence
Major sentencing reductions, end qualified immunity, redirect funding to community programs
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Cosponsored Ending Qualified Immunity Act, Smarter Sentencing Act, and Break the Cycle of Violence Act funding community violence intervention.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 38 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted No · Mar 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act
Voted No · Apr 2024 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Voted No · May 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted No · Mar 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Smarter Sentencing Act of 2021
Cosponsored — ERRPA
Cosponsored — End Solitary Confinement Act
Cosponsored — Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act
Cosponsored — Smarter Sentencing Act of 2023
+33 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Restrained realism: maintain core alliances but avoid new interventions
Sponsored No War Against Iran Act and Israel arms-sale disapprovals; voted yes on Iran/Venezuela War Powers resolutions; voted no on NDAA 2026.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 44 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.
Sponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed licensing of certain defense articles and services to Israel.
Sponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to Israel.
Sponsored — No War Against Iran Act
Sponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the report of enhancement or upgrade of sensitive foreign military related to a sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.
+39 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Pass federal voting access protections and ban partisan gerrymandering
Voted for Freedom to Vote Act and For the People Act; cosponsored Same Day Registration Act and Expanding the VOTE Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 47 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Sep 2022 — DISCLOSE Act of 2022
Voted No · Jan 2022 — Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Voted Yes · Nov 2021 — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
Voted Yes · Oct 2021 — Freedom to Vote Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Abolish Super PACs Act
Cosponsored — Duty To Report Act
Cosponsored — Sustaining Our Democracy Act
Cosponsored — Insurrection Act of 2025
Cosponsored — Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act
+42 more

Where Bernard stands

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