Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday made a case that Democrats should use their newfound majorities in the US Congress next year to pass Medicare for All legislation, and dare President Donald Trump to veto it.
Appearing on CNN, Sanders (I-Vt.) was asked by host Anderson Cooper how much he really expected to accomplish over the next two years with Trump still in the White House.
“Our job, Anderson, is to represent where working families are,” Sanders replied. “The last poll that I saw, well over 60% of the American people want Medicare for All, they know the current system is broken and incredibly expensive. If that’s what the American people want, let’s do it!”
“Trump is a funny guy, I don’t think he’s all that ideological. I think he’s a politician and I’m not so sure that he will react all that negatively to a progressive agenda, believe it or not.”Bernie Sanders on pushing for a progressive agenda despite Trump having veto powers. https://t.co/dY0eEehzQh
— Substance (@SimplySubstance) November 5, 2026
Sanders then addressed concerns about Trump blocking the legislation.
“If Trump wants to veto it, that’s his constitutional right,” he said. “I’m not so sure, by the way, that he will because Medicare for All is extremely popular… Our job is to do what the American people want and need, Trump can do what he wants. But Trump is a funny guy, you know, I don’t think he’s all that ideological, I think he’s a politician, and I’m not so sure he’ll react all that negatively to a progressive agenda.”
Sanders in recent days has been joined by fellow progressives, including Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), in pushing the new Congress to pass Medicare for All.
While it’s certain to be a battle in Congress, even with Democratic majorities, Sanders argues that the party must not waste the opportunity that has now been put before them.
“The American people spoke loudly and clearly on Tuesday,” Sanders said in a 15-minute recorded missive to the nation posted online. “The new Democratic majority cannot continue the same old, same old establishment policies. Working families want change, REAL change, and that’s what Democrats must deliver.”
The American people spoke loudly and clearly on Tuesday. The new Democratic majority cannot continue the same old, same old establishment policies. Working families want change, REAL change, and that’s what Democrats must deliver. https://t.co/gCbDLLQM4O
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 5, 2026
“Yes, we must repeal the $1 trillion in cuts Trump made to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to prevent 15 million Americans from losing their healthcare,” Sanders continued. “Yes, we must restore ACA tax credits to stop the outrageous premium spikes for 20 million Americans, but that is nowhere near enough. Healthcare must be considered as a human right, not a privilege. That means passing Medicare for all legislation now supported by 66% of the American people.”
From Common Dreams via This RSS Feed.
I’m totally with Bernie, but honestly a representative shouldn’t do things because of what people want, but rather what is best for the people. Sometimes that’s not pleasant. Taxing or regulations isn’t something people will poll to want, unless it directly benefits them, but for the greater good it might be what is needed. So even if Medicare For All or some variation wasn’t popular, it’s badly needed. That’s the difference between a representative of the people’s opinions, and a leader with a vision for a better tomorrow for the people.
But since the people mostly want it, other countries do it with varying levels of success, and the science and math support it. Let’s do it.
UBI too, while we’re at it.
I think what he is getting at is that Trump wants to be popular, and this policy is popular, so he’s suggesting it’s a kind of 4D chess move to put forward a progressive policy to a far right president, because really he wants popularity more than any ideology he supposedly represents
It may be a reach to ask for any clarity from the current President. I get your point, but he’s always all over the place, and will drop support of one thing to move to the next the following week.
I don’t get your point. It’s good and people want it, but but but but what?
University studies have concluded that the preferences of the average American (the bottom 90% of income earners) have statistically near-zero, non-significant impact on federal government policy. Conversely, economic elites and organized interest groups have a substantial, positive impact on public policy outcomes.
The idea that Mom and Dad know what’s best for us children is as insulting as it is false.
UBI is fine, as long as it’s not Yang Gang’s bastardized bait and switch created by these same affluent elites to pull welfare out from under the most vulnerable.