Bernie Sanders detailed an extensive progressive agenda that Democrats must enact if Kamala Harris is elected president as he addressed the party’s nominating convention in Chicago on Tuesday.
The Vermont senator mentioned Harris’s name only a handful of times and instead focused his forceful speech on the need to expand healthcare access, reduce the cost of higher education and raise the minimum wage.
As he seeks re-election to a fourth Senate term this November, Sanders insisted that Democrats could come together to make meaningful change, as they did in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic with the passage of the American Rescue Plan.
“I say all of this not to relive that difficult moment, but to make one simple point. When the political will is there, government can effectively deliver for the people of our country,” Sanders said. “We need to summon that will again – because too many of our fellow Americans are struggling every day to just get by.”
Sanders’ speech sounded much like his typical remarks at a rally, as he invoked the language of his two unsuccessful presidential campaigns. He implored his fellow lawmakers to “get big money out of our political process”, “guarantee healthcare to all as a human right” and “take on big pharma”.
While applauding Joe Biden and his administration for having accomplished “more than any government since FDR”, Sanders made it clear that he considers the work unfinished.
“Much more remains to be done,” Sanders said. “We must have the courage to stand up to wealth and power and deliver justice for people at home and abroad.”
Sanders’ focus on policy rather than the new Democratic nominee was notable given his staunch support of Biden in the weeks after the president’s devastating debate performance last month. While more Democrats were calling on the president to step aside, Sanders penned a New York Times op-ed arguing Biden was “the strongest candidate to defeat Mr Trump”.
Despite those concerns, Sanders has commended Harris in recent weeks, as she has ridden a wave of enthusiasm to quickly consolidate Democrats’ support. In an interview on Monday, Sanders described Harris as “a very strong candidate” while urging Democrats against potential complacency in the election. In that interview, Sanders attacked Trump as the “most dangerous candidate” in US history, a warning that he has repeated throughout this election season.
On Tuesday, Sanders contrasted his vision of economic populism with the policies included in Project 2025, a rightwing manifesto that has become a punching bag for Democrats.
“Let’s be clear: this is not a radical agenda,” Sanders said of his proposals. “Giving more tax breaks to billionaires. Putting forth budgets to cut social security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Letting polluters destroy our planet. That is what is radical.”
Sanders received a warm welcome from the convention crowd, but the senator received the most robust applause toward the end of his speech, when he addressed the war in Gaza. Sanders has become one of the most vocal critics of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Congress, and he has chastised Biden over his response to the war.
“Abroad, we must end this horrific war in Gaza, bring home the hostages, and demand an immediate ceasefire,” Sanders said, prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have held a series of demonstrations across Chicago this week to bring more attention to Biden’s handling of the war and demand a new approach from Harris. Progressives are hopeful that Harris will set a new tone on Israel, and she will have a chance to specify her views on the war when she addresses the convention on Thursday.
As progressives wait to hear more details on Harris’ platform, Sanders made it clear on Monday that he was ready to work to get her to the White House.
“On November 5, let us elect Kamala Harris as our president,” he said. “And let us go forward to create the nation we know we can become.”
