Sanders Urges Democrats to Pursue Ambitious Policies After Midterms

On Sunday’s Meet the Press, Sanders told NBC News’ Kristen Welker that voters had rejected Donald Trump and his policies while also demanding “real change” and “no more tinkering around the edges.” He said Democrats must confront the country’s crises when they take power in January and build an economy that works for everyone.

Sanders named Medicare for All and a tax on billionaires as his top priorities for the new Congress. In a social media post, he also called for a $20-an-hour minimum wage, a moratorium on data centers, an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, a ban on super PACs and a 10% cap on credit card interest rates. He cited polling figures showing support for each proposal: 66% for Medicare for All, 61% for a billionaire wealth tax, 57% for the minimum wage increase, 63% for a data center moratorium, 58% for ending military aid to Israel, 73% for banning super PACs and 79% for the interest-rate cap.

Sanders also backed affordable housing, universal childcare and free tuition at public colleges and universities. His message comes as Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries face pressure to respond to calls for a more transformative agenda. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Sunday that Democrats had won by recognizing Americans’ economic pain and now needed to deliver.