Senator Sanders

Family Values Signaling that he’s not prepared to concede the language of “family values” to social conservatives, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday unveiled his own family values agenda, centered on a series of proposals to guarantee paid family and medical leave, reported Salon and Bloomberg. The United States ranks last among all other wealthy, industrialized nations when it comes to family policies. “Last place is no place for America. It is time to join the rest of the industrialized world by showing the people of this country that we are not just a nation that talks about family values but that we are a nation that is prepared to live up to these ideals,” Sanders said. LINK, LINK  

World

China Corruption China's ex-security chief Zhou Yongkang has been jailed for life - the most senior politician to face corruption charges under Communist rule. He was found guilty of bribery, abuse of power and "intentionally disclosing national secrets", the BBC reported. LINK

National

Trade Debate The debate over major trade legislation reached a climax Thursday on Capitol Hill, with House Democrats still unsure of whether to tank the bill or not. The centerpiece of the legislation would grant the president six years of “fast track” authority to freely negotiate trade accords, limiting Congress’s role in their approval to a simple up-or-down vote. Final votes are expected to take place Friday in the House, The Washington Post reported. LINK

Vermont

Welch May Run for Governor Since Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin announced earlier this week that he will not run for a fourth term, many potential candidates have been mentioned. One of those candidates is Rep. Peter Welch. Welch said this week he is considering whether to run for governor or to seek re-election to his seat in Washington, WCAX-TV and Seven Days reported. LINK