Politician · concept

Bernie Sanders on War

Reduce military spending (strong)

Bernie Sanders holds a consistently anti-interventionist stance on war, advocating for a foreign policy centered on diplomacy and international cooperation rather than military action. He supports substantially reducing military spending as a core component of reshaping U.S. global engagement.

Historically, Sanders opposed major military conflicts, voting against authorizations for force in both the first Gulf War and the Iraq War, and he has been a vocal critic of the broader War on Terror policies, especially mass surveillance.

His current policy emphasis centers on making military force a last resort, while reallocating funds toward domestic and international priorities like climate change and human rights promotion abroad.

Context

Bernie Sanders's views on war are central to his broader critique of U.S. foreign policy and military-industrial complex spending. As a member of Congress and a presidential candidate, he has used his platform to challenge military budgets and specific engagements, framing aggressive military action as often counterproductive and wasteful.

His perspective is rooted in his early antiwar activism during the Vietnam era and his consistent criticism of what he views as the outsized influence of defense contractors on Washington politics.

Timeline

Invalid Date Sanders was active in several peace and antiwar movements while in college and applied for conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War.
January 1, 1991 Voted against the resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq during the first Gulf War.
January 1, 2003 Voted against authorizing force for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, opposing the Bush administration's unilateral decision.
January 1, 2018 Sponsored a resolution to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen after bipartisan support grew following the Khashoggi assassination.
November 1, 2024 Introduced multiple resolutions to block arms transfers to Israel amid the Gaza war, shifting from calling for a pause to demanding a ceasefire and withholding aid.

Actions Taken

January 1, 1991 Voting Record
Voted against the resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq.
January 1, 2002 Voting Record
Voted against the resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq.
January 1, 2003 Voting Record
Opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
January 1, 2001 Voting Record
Voted for the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists, which justified post-9/11 actions.
January 1, 2018 Legislation
Sponsored a bill, with bipartisan support, to invoke the War Powers Resolution to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.
January 1, 2024 Legislation
Introduced multiple Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block arms sales to Israel during the Gaza war.

Key Quotes

We gotta be tough, not stupid in the war against ISIL.

Response to ISIL attacks in Paris November 1, 2015 — Stressing a measured approach in the context of responding to ISIL attacks in Paris.

It's easier to get into a war than out of one.

Speech at Westminster College January 1, 2017 — Warning against military escalation concerning the Syrian Civil War.

Military intervention by the United States must always be a last resort.

Westminster College speech September 1, 2017 — Laying out a foreign policy vision emphasizing international collaboration.

I criticized the January 2020 drone assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, calling it a dangerous escalation of tensions that could lead to an expensive war.

Statement on Soleimani assassination January 1, 2020 — Reacting to the targeted killing of an Iranian general.