Bernie Sanders: Campaign Issues

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Where he stands

Bernie Sanders Source: Jacquelyn Martin for Associated Press Related Links Bernie Sanders Biography Bernie Sanders Website Closest Presidential Races Presidential Gallery

Economy/Budget/Deficit/Taxes

• Would cap deductions for CEO pay and count perks as profit
• Would cap the home mortgage interest deduction at $300,000
• On the issue of campaign finance, believes Citizens United "opens up the road to oligarchy"
• Would end nuclear weapons and B-2 bomber production
• Voted no on implementing Central America Free Trade

Immigration

• Voted yes on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities"
• Voted no on comprehensive immigration reform
• Voted no on declaring English as the official language of the federal government
• Voted no on building a fence along the border with Mexico
• Has an open-border stance

Energy/Environment

• Believes in cutting subsidies of wealthy farmers and increasing grazing fees
• Would strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting
• Would require labeling on genetically engineered food
• Would make tax deduction permanent for conversation easements
• Voted yes on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems
• Believes in regulating wholesale electricity & gas prices

Foreign Policy

• Would urge China to respect religious freedom
• Condemned violence by Chinese government in Tibet
• Voted no on permanent normal trade relations with China
• Voted no on cooperating with India as a nuclear power
• Has a pro-Palestine voting record

Domestic Issues

• Wants to prohibit employment discrimination for LGBTQ community
• Believes in making health care a right, not a privilege
• Would require DNA texting on all federal executions
• Believes Bush's tracking citizens' phone call patterns was illegal
• Would prohibit sexual-identity discrimination at schools
• Voted no on making the Patriot Act permanent
• Voted no on a Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage
• Wants to protect the reproductive rights of women
• Believes we should focus on preventing pregnancy and emergency contraception

• More from Campaign 2016

—Jennie Wood