Portrait of Bernie Sanders
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Bernie Sanders on Joe Biden

Pragmatic Democratic Ally (strong)

Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden have a long-standing relationship that has solidified into a pragmatic working alliance since the 2020 Democratic primary. Following the suspension of his 2020 presidential bid, Sanders endorsed Biden, who acknowledged the importance of Sanders’s support for governing.

During the Biden administration, Sanders has worked within the Democratic caucus, influencing key legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and achieving some progressive goals through his role in Senate committees. However, he maintains his independent progressive stance, evidenced by his opposition to certain Biden cabinet picks and legislation he deemed insufficiently bold.

Overall, Sanders views Biden as an ally in advancing working-class interests against oligarchy, even while criticizing the pace or extent of some administration actions. Their relationship is based on mutual respect, despite Sanders often operating as the progressive conscience pushing the administration further left.

Context

The relationship between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden is significant because Sanders represents the progressive wing that has shifted the Democratic Party leftward since 2016. Biden, as the more centrist standard-bearer, needs Sanders’s support and progressive base to maintain party unity and win general elections.

Sanders has been cited as a key voice influencing Biden's administration, particularly on environmental policy goals derived from their Unity Task Force recommendations. This dynamic illustrates Sanders working both inside and outside the mainstream Democratic structure to advance his agenda through the sitting Democratic president.

Timeline

  1. Sanders reportedly considered challenging President Obama in the Democratic primary due to dissatisfaction with his attempts to trade Social Security cuts for tax hikes.
  2. After suspending his presidential campaign, Sanders announced he would remain on the ballot to influence the Democratic platform, signaling continued engagement.
  3. Sanders formally endorsed Joe Biden for President.
  4. Biden's policy team adopted certain details from the joint Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force climate recommendations, showing influence prior to the administration.
  5. Sanders became the first senator in the Democratic caucus to oppose one of Biden's cabinet picks, voting against Tom Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary.
  6. Sanders voted to confirm Joe Biden's Supreme Court nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson.
  7. Sanders endorsed Biden for the 2024 US presidential election.
  8. After Biden withdrew, Sanders endorsed Kamala Harris for president at the Democratic National Convention.

Actions Taken

  1. Legislation support
    Worked with Democrats to pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, using budget reconciliation to avoid filibuster, despite previous criticism of Republican reconciliation use.
  2. Legislation support
    Joined Democrats to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions for capping insulin costs for Medicare seniors and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.
  3. Voting record/Oversight
    Opposed Senator Biden's nominee Tom Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary, citing concerns over Vilsack's lobbying background and corporate ties.
  4. Political negotiation/appointment
    Was the subject of speculation for Labor Secretary; declined the role after discussions with Biden, agreeing that a Senate special election could endanger the slim Democratic majority.

Key Quotes

I think your endorsement means a great deal. It means a great deal to me. I think people are going to be surprised that we are apart on some issues but we're awfully close on a whole bunch of others. I'm going to need you—not just to win the campaign, but to govern.

Biden's response to Sanders's endorsement April 14, 2020 — Joe Biden's statement after receiving Sanders's endorsement in 2020.

We have had a good relationship. He wants to be a champion of working families, and I admire that and respect that.

Interview statement January 1, 2022 — Sanders describing his long-standing relationship with Biden.

Comparison

  • 2020 Primary: Sanders was in first place nationally in early 2020 before Biden secured key victories in the South, ultimately leading to Sanders suspending his campaign and endorsing Biden.
  • Legislative Approach: Sanders supports using reconciliation to pass legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act, aligning with Biden’s procedural strategy on that bill, contrasting with Sanders’s critiques of Republican use of the same tool for tax cuts.
  • Policy Push: Sanders has continued to push Biden and the Democratic Party leftward, for example, by trying to attach stricter conditions to the CHIPS and Science Act than those accepted by the administration.