Bernie Sanders is seeking re-election for another term in the U.S. Senate, aiming to continue serving until the age of 89, should he be elected.
In a video released on Monday, Senator Bernie Sanders announced that he will be running for reelection in November. The 82-year-old Vermont senator expressed that serving in the Senate has been the greatest honor of his life.
“I am and will continue to be, if I am reelected, in a strong position to offer the necessary assistance that Vermonters require during these challenging times,” he stated in the introductory segment of the eight-minute video. The clip highlighted the fact that his senior committee assignments in the Senate empower him to effectively advocate for the needs of his constituents.
Let me thank the people of Vermont, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me the opportunity to serve them in the United States Senate. It has been the honor of my life.
Today, I am announcing my intention to seek another term. Here is why: pic.twitter.com/cfO8MF4Cep
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 6, 2024
He acknowledged that significant strides have been made in achieving accessible healthcare, which remains his top priority. However, he emphasized that there is still more work to be done, pointing out that while Vermont is at the forefront of community health care centers in the country, it falls short of meeting the complete healthcare needs of its residents.
According to Sanders, it is essential for the United States to provide healthcare to all individuals as a fundamental human right, rather than a privilege or a battle. He believes that the country should follow the example of other major nations in ensuring universal healthcare coverage. Sanders, who is one of three independents in the Senate, strongly advocates for this cause.
In his bid for the presidency, Senator Sanders, who has a wealth of experience in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, highlights his accomplishments in driving down the cost of crucial medications such as prescription drugs, inhalers, and insulin. However, this time, he aims to tackle the larger pharmaceutical companies head-on.
“We must confront the pharmaceutical industry’s greed and put an end to the outrageous situation where Americans pay the highest prices globally for prescription drugs,” he declared.
In his next endeavor, Sanders aims to address the pressing issue of the climate crisis. Drawing from his experience during the widespread flooding in Vermont last year, he took action by securing $62 million to support the installation of solar panels and additional heat pumps in the state.
“We need to collaborate with every country on Earth to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard the planet for our children and future generations,” he emphasized.
He will prioritize efforts to combat those who seek to privatize veterans facilities, advocate for accessible housing, and protect women’s rights. This includes the intention to enact national legislation that codifies the principles of “Roe v. Wade.” Additionally, he aims to guarantee free tuition to public universities and safeguard the benefits of social security and medicare.
During the discussion, Sanders also addressed the Israel-Gaza war. He recounted the devastating attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis. Sanders expressed his concern about the use of U.S. tax dollars to support Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have allegedly caused the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
“It is important to acknowledge that Israel had the absolute right to defend itself against this terrorist attack,” he stated. “However, it is essential to recognize that it does not have the right to wage war against the entire Palestinian people, which is precisely what it is currently engaged in.”
Bernie Sanders, who has endorsed Democratic incumbent Joe Biden for president, highlighted the national significance of the November 2024 election in his closing remarks.
“These are truly challenging times for our country and the world. In many ways, the upcoming 2024 election holds immense significance as it stands as the most consequential election in our lifetime,” he asserted. “Will the United States persevere as a functioning democracy? Or will we veer towards an authoritarian style of governance?”
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